2016 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie La Viallière

The 2016 Cote Rotie la Viaillere boasts delicate, almost dainty aromas of flowers, strengthened by stemmy notes and hints of olive and raspberry. It's medium to full-bodied, with a wiry, tannic strength that builds through the concentrated core of the wine and onto the long finish, yet it remains silky around the edges, suggesting reasonably early drinkability.

(made from vines that are over 100 years old) Lurid ruby. Heady aromas of ripe blueberry, black raspberry, incense, olive and candied flowers are sharpened by cracked pepper and mineral flourishes. Sweet and energetic on the palate, offering intense dark fruit liqueur and spicecake flavors and suggestions of licorice and cola that build with air. Lush but surprisingly structured thanks to a core of juicy acidity, as is typical of the best wines of the vintage. Building tannins shape the sappy dark fruit on the impressively long, juicy finish, which leaves a sexy floral note behind.