2019 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge
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Tasting notes
Lastly, I loved the 2019 Côte Rôtie Maison Rouge, which is clearly up with the finest vintages to date. Coming from a lieu-dit in the southern part of the appellation, it was 70% destemmed and vinified and aged in 15% new French oak for two years. There's not much to go around, but it boasts a medium ruby hue as well as a kaleidoscopic array of spiced red and black fruits, iron, rose petals, flowers, and woodsmoke. As elegant as they come, it has silky tannins, a layered, elegant mouthfeel, and a great finish. This is never a powerhouse, but it always shines for its complexity, nuance, and elegance. Drink bottles over the coming two decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining violet color. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented black and blue fruit, incense and floral pastille scents pick up cured tobacco and exotic spice notes with air. Done in a concentrated yet lively style, offering palate-staining and alluringly sweet cherry, black raspberry, boysenberry, licorice, spicecake and candied violet flavors that are braced by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. Shows superb definition and mineral lift on a wonderfully persistent, floral-driven finish that's shaped by fine-grained, finely interwoven tannins.
NB vintage! 100% Syrah. Aged 24 months in barrel (30% new oak). Deep crimson hue. Dark and subdued but with an undertow of dark fruit and spice and just a hint of oak. Lovely depth of fruit on the palate but with a lightness of touch and marked vibrancy and freshness. Tannins so fine and well-integrated you can barely feel them. Persistent finish. Great balance. (JL)
About the producer
A legendary name, Domaine Georges Vernay crafts some of the finest whites in the world, having championed Condrieu when it was on the brink of extinction. The estate is best known for its single-site Coteau de Vernon Condrieu and is now in the hands of the third and fourth generation of the family.