2009 Cote Rotie

Clearly, the wine and I have improved since I lasted it, as this is a knockout bottle! The nose, with its smoked cherry, crushed stone, leafy herb, tobacco, and red fruits. Concentrated, balanced, fresh, and showy, the distinctive character and lush quality in the long finish ties everything together. Drink from 2022-2040.

Meaty, succulent and intense on the nose, showing layers of ripe red and black fruits with a real hit of smoked bacon. The tannins are ripe, as would be expected in this warm vintage, but the freshness is the most impressive element to this wine. Silky and precise, it shows a balance between rosemary, white pepper, pink peppercorns and generous blueberries and forest fruit. Delicious now, but there is no rush. (TP)

From 375 milliliters, Jamet's 2009 Cote Rotie still seems reasonably youthful. The color is dark, with no bricking, and the wine still shows floral nuances on the nose. There's some roasted meat as well as mixed berries. It's medium to full-bodied, rich and silky. Hints of mint and mocha emerge on the lengthy finish, adding extra complexity. It's drinking well now, but it should easily go another decade or more. Jean-Paul Jamet explained, "On release, the sun was high, the terroir was low. Now it's achieved a good balance."