2020 Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Moving to the 2020s, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Les Schistes has a terrific sense of elegance and purity, with medium-bodied aromas and flavors of smoked red and black fruits, ground pepper, iron, and bacon fat. With silky tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish, it can be drunk any time over the coming decade or more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining violet color. Pungent black raspberry and cherry-cola scents are complemented by suggestions of potpourri, olive and smoky minerals. Silky and focused on the palate, offering spice-tinged red and blue fruit flavors that show bright delineation and firm tension. Lively and gently chewy in texture, finishing with a bright, mineral drive and harmonious, slow-building tannins.
50% whole bunch. Ageing is in oak barriques for at least 15 months with less than 15% new wood. Cask sample. Lovely perfumed nose, bacon fat, rose petal and violet. Effortless palate that has wonderful freshness, fine tannins and a subtle Chinese five-spice note. Really pure and light on its feet – clean and beguiling. (AC)
15% new oak. Cask sample. Very cool and refined, almost to the point of austerity. Needs lots of time! But it's very fine. And not too silly a price. GV (JR)