2005 Cote Rotie Vieilles Vignes
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Tasting notes
The wines are not easy to taste when young, but I have to say, the 2005 Cote Rotie Vieille Vigne shows a gorgeous peppery, floral nose with sweet currants, cherries, a deep ruby/purple color, luscious, medium to full-bodied flavors, and plenty of tannin lurking under the surface. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 15 years. It may even be better than I rated it. A young producer who has just under 12 acres of vines, Jean-Michel Stephan is a mystical winemaker, eschewing any kind of yeast, chaptalisation, enzymes, or even sulfur. Importer:JEFF WELBURN SELECTIONS, Van Nuys, CA; tel. 818.780.4446 and MARTIN SCOTT WINES, Lake Success, NY; tel. 516.327.0808
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Opaque purple. Pungent dark berries and cherry-cola on the nose. Deep and chewy, with sweet cassis and cherry liqueur flavors framed by solid tannins. Serious depth and richness here; serve this with grilled meats or, better still, lose it in the cellar for ten years or so.