2016 Cote Rotie Amethyste
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Dark berry and floral qualities on the fragrant, spice-accented nose, along with an exotic apricot flourish. Round and open-knit, at least by Levet standards, offering cassis and blueberry flavors underscored by a vein of juicy acidity. Finishes long and spicy, with repeating florality and sneaky, steadily building tannins.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Côte Rôtie Amethyste is in the same ballpark, with slightly more charm, exotic notes of gamy meats, medicinal herbs, beef blood, and iron. It’s nicely concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and shows the wild, sauvage character of this estate beautifully. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years. While Levet makes several cuvées (the La Chavaroche and Les Journaries), I was only able to taste their Amethyste release, which is a blend of all their terroirs on Côte Rôtie. Levet makes a classic, wild, old school style of Côte Rôtie that has tons of character.
Deep lurid ruby. A complex bouquet evokes ripe cherry and boysenberry, backed by hints of smoky minerals, game and licorice. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering sweet black and blue fruit, salty olive and violet flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of zesty acidity. Smooth and open-knit for a Levet wine, finishing with excellent clarity, building tannins and strong, smoky persistence.