Description
This is Chrisophe’s entry level Côte Rôtie, from a blend of sites both north (more schist dominant) and south (more decomposed granite dominant). The overall blend makes for a remarkably satisfying and complete whole, a standout value play in every single vintage of recent. This is aged 100% in used oak, and included some whole cluster as of late (30%). As the reviews attest to, honest, deep, and satisfying Côte Rôtie and then some.
“95-97% Syrah, 3-5% Viognier, 60% from sanded granite soils on Le Goutay (1988-99, 2001), Combard (1998-99, 2001, southern zone), 40% from schist soils on Les Moutonnes (1960s) and next door Côte Baudin (part 1960s, part 1980s) on the Côte Brune zone, destemmed crop (only 70% destemmed in 2015), 15-18 day vinification, twice daily pumping overs, three daily manual cap punchings during maceration, aged 1-2-3 year oak casks 21-26 months, north & south zone wines blended prior to bottling, unfined, filtered, 4-6,000 b” John Livingstone Learmonth
“dark hued robe; the bouquet has an iodine presence, ripe and well formed black fruit inside, a hint of raspberry, light drifts of oaking, black olives, a sense of the south. The palate is thorough, holds engaging fruit, ripe tannins that fit in well, produces a little perfume on the still reticent close. The fruit gains a surge towards the finish. This has good shape, a little power, and will evolve well and steadily, without many halts en route. 97% Syrah, 3% Viognier. 13.5°. From 2022. 2040-42 Dec 2018” 4.5 Stars JLL
“Saturated ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black and blue fruits, licorice, olive and succulent flowers, along with mineral and spice accents that build in the glass. Sweet and broad in the mouth, offering juicy boysenberry, candied plum and spicecake favors and a touch of smokiness. Velvety tannins lend gentle grip to a long, spicy finish that leaves smoky mineral and blue fruit notes behind.” 92 Josh Raynolds
