2016 Cote Rotie Le Combard

Bright violet. Aromas of cherry, leather and cured meat are complemented by subtle spice and floral notes. Chewy and gamy on the palate, offering bitter cherry and game flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. Rounded tannins add grip to the finish, which echoes the gamy note. This funky wine won't be for everybody, but the style does have its fans.

In the same ballpark as the 2017, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Coeur De Combard is pure class and has a concentrated yet elegant, medium-bodied style as well as a complex perfume of black raspberries, spring flowers, bouquet garni, and hints of game. It’s already drinking nicely but will evolve for 10-15 years. This traditionally run family estate pulls mostly from the Côte Brune side of Côte Rôtie. The wines are made by the young Julien Barge, with assistance from his father, Gilles Barge. Both of the 2016s presented showed much better from bottle than barrel, which is always a good sign. It also makes the showing of the 2017s even more impressive. For whatever reason, they opted not to show their Côte Blonde cuvée.

Barge's 2016 Cote Rotie le Combard is one of the stars of the vintage, delivering violets and herbal tea on the nose, black cherry fruit on the palate and a kaleidoscopic blend of them all on the finish. It's medium to full-bodied, supple and creamy in texture and, simply put, a must-purchase for lovers of Côte Rôtie.