2005 Cote Rotie

Dark ruby. Fresh cherry and dark berries on the nose, with exotic Asian spices and woodsmoke arriving with aeration. Lively and silky, with sappy, medium-bodied red and dark berry flavors gaining a spicy character on the close. Lots of flavor here but no excess weight or ripeness, or hard edges. I find this tasty right now but Clusel advises waiting about eight years to get the most out of it.

CS Extremely dark and intense. Real savoury burnt rubber characteristic Côte Rôtie character. Pretty volatile but not dangerous with any luck. Fine and sinewy. Very chewy but there’s enough fruit here. Dry finish. Serious, very dry wine but not especially dense and thick. (JR)

Deep ruby. Spicy cherry and blueberry aromas, with a cool mineral and floral undercurrent. Nicely focused and pure, with vibrant red and dark berry flavors, seductive violet and spice accents, silky tannins and a very long, juicy finish. A typically elegant version of this estate's wine, clocking in at only 12.5% alcohol.