2018 Cote Rotie
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Tasting notes
Deep, shimmering ruby. Expressive cherry and blackcurrant aromas, along with suggestions of smoked meat, exotic spices and pungent flowers. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering spice- and mineral-laced red and blue fruit, spicecake and candied violet flavors that deepen steadily and turn sweeter with air. Closes very long, smooth and broad, showing strong energy and spicy cut to its youthfully tannic, floral-driven finish. All whole clusters and one-third new French oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
One of the gems in the Northern Rhône lineup is the 2018 Côte Rôtie, which, as with all of Louis’ wines, wasn’t destemmed and was brought up in 30-40% new oak. Stunning aromatics of black raspberries, olive tapenade, ground pepper, violets, and assorted meat notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, opulent, seamless Côte Rôtie that has a smoking good texture. Count me impressed.