2008 Cote Rotie

Vivid ruby. High-pitched, peppery aromas of black raspberry and cherry, with notes of licorice and violet adding complexity. A sappy, seamless midweight that offers lively dark berry flavors and a hint of candied flowers. The finish offers very good racy cut and lingering juiciness. This drinks quite well now.

Deep, bright ruby. Complex nose melds musky blackberry, smoky minerality, cured meat and botanical herbs. Sweet and smoky in the mouth, with gentle peppery lift to the red and dark berry flavors. This open-knit wine possesses gentle tannins and finishes with good sappy persistence and a lingering note of dark berries. This will be drinkable right out of the gate.

Only one Cote Rotie was produced in 2008. The 2008 Cote Rotie, which represents one-third of the estate’s normal production, was 100% destemmed and given a light maceration to try and produce an elegant wine (a goal they successfully achieved). Notes of sweet black cherries, raspberries, currants, spice box, roasted herbs and loamy soil result in an endearing, elegant, easy to drink red that should be consumed over the next several years. Feb 2011, www.robertparker.com