2019 Cote Rotie Amethyste
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Tasting notes
Deep violet. Pungent, smoke-tinged blue fruit, floral, game and mineral aromas pick up a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet, smoke- and cracked pepper-accented cherry liqueur, blueberry, smoky bacon and violet pastille flavors show very good depth and surprising energy. The spicy note carries through a long, gently tannic finish that leaves a juicy, blue fruit note behind.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
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Leading off the bottled reds, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Amethyste would be a great introduction for readers trying to understand the style of this estate. A perfumed, gamey, sun-kissed nose of blue fruits, black peppery and candied violets give way to a medium to full-bodied, ripe, textured, and (by this estate’s standards) downright charming Côte Rôtie that already offers pleasure. It will keep for 10-15 years.
Even this normally approachable cuvée is pretty darn tannic this vintage. Tasted just prior to bottling, Levet's 2019 Cote Rotie Amethyste features scents of crushed stone, asphalt, black olives and purple raspberries. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it finishes long, chewy and mouthwatering.
Energetic black raspberry and cherry scents are complemented by hints of black pepper, smoky bacon and succulent flowers. Juicy, appealingly sweet, spice-tinged red and dark flavors show fine delineation and turn livelier with air. A zesty mineral element adds lift and nervy cut to the long, floral-driven finish, which is framed by smooth, slowly building tannins. 70% whole clusters.