2015 Cote Rotie Rose Pourpre

Brought up all in new oak, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Rose Pourpre is more firm and focused, with dry, savory notes of cured meats, white pepper, spice and cedary oak. I like the fruit in the Esprit de Blonde cuvée more, and there’s a savory edge to this wine that’s going to take year or three to see where it’s going. Either way, it’s certainly an outstanding wine. I’d hide bottles for 2-3 years, at which point it will be easier to see if the tannins are going to sweeten up. Located in the northern part of Saint Joseph, this family-run estate has produced a bevy of high quality, noteworthy wines in both 2016 and 2015. Despite seeing plenty of new oak, I nevertheless find a very traditional style in the wines from Gaillard.

Showing a touch more minerality and precision, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Rose Pourpre is 100% Syrah that comes from the Côte Rozier lieu-dit and was aged in new barrels. Spring flowers, green herbs, black raspberries, plums and green herbs all emerge from this elegant, focused Côte Rôtie that has fine tannin and notable purity. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.

Cask sample. Tasted blind. Blackish crimson. Warm, ripe nose suggests ripe blackberries and spice. Dusty, sweet finish. Pretty hefty with an edge of acidity. This needs time for the rather astringent finish to soften. (JR)