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 red, black tinted robe; crushed nutshells, oaking lead the nose, with a sleek black fruit presence and a jolly cluster of violets. It’s wide, and will be imposing. The fruit quality is high on the palate, carries a supple, pure texture, and is enjoyably free towards the finish, where there are supple tannins. This lights up the glass, is refined and stylish, good get up and go Rôtie, most eye catching. From spring 2021-2022. 2040-42 Nov 2019” 4.5 Stars JLL