2019 Cotes du Rhone

Leading off the 2019s reds, the 2019 Côtes Du Rhône Parallele 45 is soft and charming, with a Pinot Noir-like feel in its raspberry and peppery herb aromas and flavors. It’s as drinkable as they come. While the wheels haven’t come completely off at this estate, there’s a significant drop in terms of quality starting with the 2019s and continuing with the 2020s. Whether this is simply COVID related or indicative of a larger issue is yet to be determined. To be sure, the wines are still well-made, but to have access to some of the greatest terroirs in the world and to be producing mid-weight, lean wines is disappointing to say the least.