2021 Cote Rotie Cote Brune
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Tasting notes
In comparison, the 2021 Côte Rôtie Côte Brune was fermented with 100% whole clusters and was raised all in barrel, mostly used. The stems are much more present here, and it has a beautiful perfume of redcurrant and black raspberry fruit that gives way to more peppery herbs, game, and violet and floral nuances. Concentrated and medium-bodied on the palate, it has fine tannins, plenty of underlying structure, and terrific balance. It's one of the few 2021s that's going to benefit from bottle age, and given its fresher yet still concentrated style, I wouldn't be surprised to see this age gracefully for at least two decades.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune is a towering success. It unwinds with a mesmerizingly complex perfume of juniper, crushed violets, chamomile, blueberry jam, menthol and herbal tea. Licorice and black pepper add spicy subtleties, complemented by ferrous and stemmy undertones. Although there is more ripeness and density compared to the classic Côte-Rôtie, the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune remains medium-bodied at most. Velvety tannins caress the palate and provide gentle structure to what essentially is a textbook Côte Brune of singular class. With so many copycats in the world of wine, the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Côte Brune is an original that could only be made by the talented Jamet family.
Deep, vivid ruby. Displays spice- and mineral-accented cherry and dark berry scents complemented by suggestions of allspice, olive, botanical herbs and smoked meat. Chewy and tightly wound, offering sappy blackberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors with bay and exotic spice suggestions. An impressively long, focused finish features polished tannins and resonating floral and mineral notes.
Cask sample. Gorgeous nose – so floral – rose, dried violets and apricot. A generous palate where the floral notes jump out and coat the palate. Very fine tannins, mouth-watering freshness with good concentration of crushed flowers, dark earth and the signature 2021 salinity. Lovely and so utterly drinkable. A very long finish. (AC)