Tasting Notes

94
Vinous Josh Raynolds - 01 Mar 12
Opaque purple. Explosively perfumed scents of red and dark berries, potpourri and Asian spices, with black pepper and mineral nuances gaining strength with air. Juicy and expansive on the palate, showing intense black raspberry and blueberry flavors and an exotic touch of candied violet. Finishes sweet and very long, with resonating spiciness and florality. This winter I also had the chance to retaste the 2008 and 2007 versions of this bottling: the '08 is a graceful, lively, open-knit wine that's showing intense, still-primary red fruit now, with good depth and finishing cut, while the '07 conveys a darker fruit profile and more tannic grip. At this point it looks like the '08 is the one to drink now, if you're the impatient sort.
Drinking Date:
Cote-Rotie Vineyard Fine Wine

Cote Rotie

Côte-Rôtie, a distinguished Northern Rhône appellation, is famed for its elegant, complex Syrah-based red wines. The name means "Roasted Slope," reflecting its sun-drenched, steep hillsides. These wines often blend Syrah with a small amount of Viognier, adding floral notes to rich dark fruit flavours like blackberries and plums, with peppery, smoky undertones. Top producers include E. Guigal, Domaine Jamet, and Domaine Côte-Rôtie, all celebrated for crafting some of the region's most revered wines.