Coming from a steep granite hillside near the village of Tupin-et-Semons, just on the outskirts of C?te R?tie, the 2012 La Rosine Syrah VDP is 100% Syrah that was brought up in mostly older barrels. It’s a beautiful wine that, unsurprisingly, bares more than a passing resemblance to a high-quality C?te R?tie from the southern part of the appellation. Sweet raspberry, licorice, spice and crushed rock-like qualities flow nicely to a medium-bodied, sexy, supple 2012 that has outstanding purity of fruit and a terrific finish. It’s hard to resist now, but I’ve no doubt it will evolve gracefully for upward of a decade.