1999 Cote Rotie

The 1999 Cote Rotie offers pretty flavors redolent with scents of black cherries, raspberries, plums, and cherries, with smoke, mineral, and paper white Narcissus notes in the background. It is medium-bodied, pure, supple-textured, and delicious. If it builds in the bottle, it will merit an even higher score. This is undoubtedly the finest Jasmin Cote Rotie produced in over a decade. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016. As I noted last year, there have been significant improvements made at this estate under the influence of Patrick, son of the late Robert Jasmin. The grapes are now destemmed, and the upbringing in wood has been shortened. There are also fewer, more consistent bottlings. Importers: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524, and Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Deep medium ruby. Slightly reduced aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate, smoked meat and animal fur, with a suggestion of surmaturite Deeper and richer than the '98, with black fruit flavors supported by ripe acids. Ripe, even, mounting tannins will give this wine enough structure for medium-term aging. Due to the strength of the material, said Jasmin, he has racked the wine more frequently during its elevage