2010 Cote Rotie
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Powerful aromas of dried cherry, blackberry and licorice, with a suave floral pastille nuance in the background. Densely packed bitter cherry and dark berry preserve flavors show a refreshingly bitter edge and pick up spicecake and dark chocolate qualities with air. Dusty tannins come in late and give shape to the finish, which clings with superb tenacity and a resonating floral quality. Shows the power and structure of this outstanding vintage to full effect but comes off as polished and, I daresay, approachable.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
A wine I reviewed earlier this year, the 2010 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde is a stunning Cote Rotie. Made from 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier and aged in equal parts new and once used barrels, it’s medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with rocking notes of raspberries, peppered bacon, coffee bean and violets. Drink it anytime over the coming decade or more.
Aged 36 months in 50% new oak. Co-fermented with 6% Viognier. Violets and peppered meat; the authenticity can’t be faulted. Classic, savoury, lovely manicured tannins. Impressive aromatic range and lovely depth of flavour. (RH)
Bright purple. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes red fruit liqueur, violet, incense and smoky bacon, with a zesty mineral overtone. Taut and sharply focused on entry, then fleshier in the mid-palate, offering pliant raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors and a tangy hint of blood orange. Finishes spicy and precise, with slow-building tannins and excellent clarity and cut. This was only recently bottled and while it's pretty tight right now it looks very promising.