2019 Cote Rotie La Viaillere
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining ruby color. Smoke- and mineral-accented cherry and blackberry scents show superb clarity, and licorice and olive nuances build in the glass. Gently sweet, penetrating dark berry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors are underscored by a smoky mineral element and pick up an exotic spice nuance with air. Fleshes out slowly on the fabulously long well-delineated finish, which is framed by solid (but in no way severe) tannins that blend very slowly into the wine's deep, dark fruit. Note that there is no 2020 bottling of this wine as there was too little quantity; thus, it was all blended into the Ampodium, much to that wine's benefit.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
More black raspberry, camphor, graphite, peppered meat, and powdered rock notes emerge from the 2019 Côte Rôtie Le Vialliere, another flat-out incredible wine from this family. Much straighter and more focused than the more opulent La Landonne, it has a dense mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and perfect balance. It’s singular, heavenly wine that needs to be forgotten for 5-7 years, and it should see its 30th birthday in fine form.
Cask sample, tasted at the domaine. Clove spice and subtle earthy notes. Sweet open fruits, very structured tannins that are firm and support the pepper-laden core with lots of earthy character alongside. Very pure fruit, a suggestion of smoky character and a layered finish. Needs so many years! (AC)