2020 Cote Rotie Amethyste
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Tasting notes
Moving to the 2020s, which were still in barrel, the estate commented that this was an early vintage, and the wines are slightly less concentrated due to well-timed rains. The 2020 Côte Rôtie Amethyste showed beautifully, with an exuberant, perfumed bouquet of violets, cracked pepper, spring flowers, and raspberries. This medium-bodied, elegant, incredibly satisfying Côte Rôtie would be a great introduction for readers looking to understand the style of this terrific estate.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Glass-staining ruby. Pungent aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, licorice, smoked meat, potpourri and black pepper. Offers densely packed cassis, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors that show fine definition and are braced by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. The licorice, cassis and floral notes repeat on a long, spice- and mineral-accented finish that features youthfully chewy tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate.
A prospective blend assembled from several barrels for my tasting, the 2020 Cote Rotie Amethyste—a blend of five lieux-dits—is dark fruited and plummy yet also vaguely herbal and wiry. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied, tannic but ripe, with a rich, silky feel and a long finish that echoes of blackberries and dusty tannins.