1996 Cote Rotie

The 1996 Cote Rotie is a classic wine. The dark ruby/purple color is followed by notes of overripeness (even in such a cool year). The wine is full-bodied and dense, with copious tannin, roasted duck, bacon fat, animal, pepper, and cassis notes intermixed with apricots (about 1/2% of Viognier is included), and a chewy, well-structured, surprisingly long finish. It needs several years in the bottle, but possesses all the components necessary to age well for 12-15 years. This estate has been one of the most consistent small producers of Cote Rotie over the last decade. Aged for nearly two years in a combination of small barrels and larger foudres, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration. I asked Jean-Luc Jamet when the best time to drink their wines was, and he surprised me by saying, "between 8-12 years of age." I have found Jamet's dense, powerful vintages to only begin to evolve and open at age 10 (i.e., the 1988 and probably the 1991 as well). Jamet's prices remain among the more reasonable of the appellation, particularly given the high quality. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

The 1996 Cote Rotie is a classic wine. The dark ruby/purple color is followed by notes of overripeness (even in such a cool year). The wine is full-bodied and dense, with copious tannin, roasted duck, bacon fat, animal, pepper, and cassis notes intermixed with apricots (about 1/2% of Viognier is included), and a chewy, well-structured, surprisingly long finish. It needs several years in the bottle, but possesses all the components necessary to age well for 12-15 years. This estate has been one of the most consistent small producers of Cote Rotie over the last decade. Aged for nearly two years in a combination of small barrels and larger foudres, the wine is bottled without fining or filtration. I asked Jean-Luc Jamet when the best time to drink their wines was, and he surprised me by saying, between 8-12 years of age. I have found Jamet's dense, powerful vintages to only begin to evolve and open at age 10 (i.e., the 1988 and probably the 1991 as well). Jamet's prices remain among the more reasonable of the appellation, particularly given the high quality. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate February 1999

Ruby-red. Slightly high-toned aromas of violet, fresh blood, damp earth, woodsmoke and prune; has a distinct aspect of fruit compote. This is in an oxidative phase following the September bottling, says Jamet. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with flavors fresher than the aromas; shows the sound acids of the vintage. Finishes firmly tannic, and considerably less sweet than the Jamet '97 Côte-Rôtie. In an awkward stage today, and almost certainly better than it showing now.