2019 Cote Rotie La Germine
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Tasting notes
Dark magenta. Expansive, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, Chambord, baking spice and botanical herb qualities on the perfumed nose. Offers juicy finely etched red and dark berry and violet pastille flavors that put on weight and take on a smoky aspect with aeration. Closes very long and subtly chewy, with resonating florality and discreet tannins that lend final closing grip. 20% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Côte Rôtie La Germine also sees a splash of Viognier (3%) and is vinified with 20% stems before aging 20 months in demi-muid and barrel (20% new). Classic red and black fruits, loamy soil, flowers, and olive tapenade notes all emerge from this beauty, and it's medium-bodied, with a round, supple, elegant texture, terrific overall balance, and enough structure to account for 15 years of prime drinking.
Atypically big and tannic, the 2019 Cote Rotie La Germine comes across as largely closed, although with air, hints of asphalt, black olive and blackberries emerge. It's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and velvety, with a long, dusty finish. Give it another few years in the cellar.
97% Syrah, 3% Viognier, 80% destemmed. Aged for 20 months in barriques and demi-muids, 20% new. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Sweet fruit alongside cedar and vanilla notes. Lots of acidity and a very tightly coiled palate at the moment, direct and linear in style. Cool blue fruits and a suggestion of clove lurks deep beneath the finely sculpted palate. Needs time to express itself. (AC)