2021 Côte Levant Syrah, Château le Devay

• Style: Lifted, mineral-driven Syrah
• Taste: Red cherry, bramble, wild herbs, saline with mineral spine
• Food: Braised lamb, grilled beef, aged cheese
• Occasion: Date night, cellar worthy, gifting
• Serve: Now or over five years, 12.5% ABV

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Built on tension rather than weight, this northern Rhône Syrah opens with red cherry and bramble, liquorice and wild herbs threading underneath, all anchored by a mineral spine that speaks to schist-rich soils. The palate has crunch, fine-grained tannins that dissolve rather than grip, and an acidity that pulls the wine forward. Classical in form: restrained, structured, and alive.

The Winery — Château le Devay

Sitting in a natural amphitheatre between 340 and 400 metres altitude in the northern Rhône foothills, this 18th-century estate was purchased by Jean-Charles Fournet, a radiologist-turned-vigneron, in 2005. After consulting soil microbiologists who confirmed the schist soils were ideal for Rhône varieties, he planted 5.5 hectares in 2014 with guidance from legendary winemakers including Christine Vernay, Yves Gangloff and Thierry Germain. The philosophy centers on working naturally and conveying the tension and salinity those schist soils provide. The 2021 vintage—a cool, wet, demanding season—forced the Syrah to work hard, resulting in a saline red of poise rather than power. Hand-harvested fruit was partly foot-trodden whole-bunch before a measured 20-day ferment in stainless steel, then aged 18 months in large wood (demi-muids of one to three years old). This is honest, site-driven winemaking from a producer who doesn't shout about it.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Drink this now or over the next five years alongside braised lamb, roasted chicken with herbs, or mature cheese—Gouda, Pecorino, aged Gruyère all sing with it. At 12.5% alcohol and fully vegan-certified, it's an easy pour for serious drinking. Whether you're exploring France's full bodied red wine tradition beyond the famous crus or seeking a cellar-worthy bottle to gift, this sits alongside carefully chosen selections from independent producers across the country. Worth revisiting vintage to vintage. Discover other Syrah & Shiraz wines in our range.