| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Côte Rotie |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
I loved the 2018 Côte Rôtie Terrasses, which is slightly more supple and elegant than both the 2017 and 2019. Offering darker red, almost blue fruits as well as peppery game, violets, and crushed stone-like minerality, it's medium to full-bodied, has the vintage's pure, balanced, harmonious style, supple tannins, and a great finish. It doesn't have the structure or mid-palate density of the 2019, but is a gorgeously complex, nuanced Côte Rôtie that needs another 3-5 years of bottle age and will evolve gracefully.
I tasted four different lots that will go into Jamet's 2018 Cote Rotie. All showed wonderfully silky, elegant tannins, which should make the wine approachable when young. Aromas and flavors range from violets and raspberries to darker notes of cassis and blueberry in these generally full-bodied barrel samples.
Deep ruby-purple in colour the nose here is initially reticent and a little reductive - this is a wine that warrants a lengthy decant if approaching so young. With air, it reveals dark forest fruits, black pepper, rosemary and violets on the nose. These are both more intense and clearer defined on the palate, which is grippy and lined with ripe tannins. Layered fruit, spice and savoury meaty tones come in waves. Again, with decanting the tannins begin to resolve and allow the pure, refined dark fruit to shine. Wild forest fruits and pepper meld with dried woody herbs, expanding on the finish to show the potential here. Very long and layered, gaining in savoury tone with air. A very fine example of Cote Rotie that demonstrates Jean-Luc's growing skill. Ideally, wait at least two years before opening, there is a long life ahead. Decanting strongly recommended.
(casks) regular red robe; there is likeable serenity on the nose, red fruits that have clear definition, blue fruit touches, is nice and calm, not yet varied. There’s a murmur of perfume-flowers. There is good style in the juice, an immediate offer of it, streamlined tannins in play. Its cool late notes work well. This is no pretension, authentic Rôtie. From 2023. 2043-45 Nov 2019
