2015 Cote Rotie Cote Rozier

(50% new oak) Dark purple. Deep-pitched dark berry liqueur, licorice, smoked meat and floral pastille aromas are complemented by peppery spice and olive nuances. Sappy and impressively concentrated on the palate, offering bitter cherry, cassis and fruitcake flavors that are given backbone and lift by a core of juicy acidity. A smoky note comes out on an impressively long, dark-fruit-driven finish framed by youthfully chewy tannins.

Moving to the reds, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Côte Rozier is a serious, masculine, structured effort that’s not going to be for those looking for instant gratification. Gunpowder, crushed rocks, smoked black fruits and background meatiness all give way to a concentrated, tannic red that’s going to require 5-7 years of bottle age. This vintage includes 2% Viognier, was partially destemmed and will see over two years in 50% new barrels.

Moving to the reds, the 2015 Cote Rotie Cote Rozier is a serious, masculine, structured effort that’s not going to be for those looking for instant gratification. Gunpowder, crushed rocks, smoked black fruits and background meatiness all give way to a concentrated, tannic red that’s going to require 5-7 years of bottle age. This vintage includes 2% Viognier, was partially destemmed and will see over two years in 50% new barrels. Dec 2016, www.robertparker.com