2016 Cote Rotie Domaine des Pierrelles

Brought up all in demi-muids (they started doing 100% demi-muids in 2015), the 2016 Côte Rôtie Les Pierrelles offers a fresh, vibrant, downright pretty style in its black raspberries, crushed rocks, violets, and floral aromas and flavors. It has medium-bodied richness, plenty of underlying grip, beautiful tension, and outstanding length. It shows the fresher, more elegant and classic style of the vintage nicely. The big news at this benchmark estate is the loss of winemaker Jacques Desvernois to Domaine Guigal. At the time of my tasting with Caroline Frey, there was no replacement, so it will be interesting to see who comes on board. They will certainly have big shoes to fill. Nevertheless, the estate has been on an incredible roll, with their sensational 2015s last year, and now two strong vintages with their 2016s and 2017s.

Even better than I thought last year from barrel, the 2016 Cote Rotie Domaine des Pierrelles is all about elegance and finesse. Hints of cracked pepper and cured meat accent raspberries and cherries in this medium-bodied, silky offering that's ready to drink now, yet it should last for at least a decade.

(aged in 20% new oak) Deep brilliant violet. Expressive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, exotic spices and incense pick up a smoky mineral nuance as the wine stretches out. Silky and energetic in the mouth, offering intense, mineral-accented black raspberry and blueberry flavors and a sweet touch of candied violet. Finishes seamless and very long, featuring an echo of sappy blue fruit and well-knit tannins that add gentle grip.