2006 Cote Rotie Cote Brune

A more serious effort, the 2006 Cote Rotie Cote Brune offers up notes of tapenade, burning embers, blackberries, cherries, smoked herbs, and forest floor. The complex aromatics are followed by a dense, rich, chewy, impressive wine to drink over the next 10-15 years. Barges also has a new offering (not yet named) from the southern part of the Cote Rotie appellation, and he is in the process of replanting a sector on the Cote Blonde. I tasted this cuvee in 2007. It has about 7% Viognier co-fermented, and it reveals the potential to be outstanding. I will wait until it is in bottle to provide a full review. Importer: A Christopher Cannan Selection, various American importers including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, and Diamond Wine Merchants, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 567-9897