2015 Cote Rotie Cote Brune

The 2015 Côte Rôtie Côte Brune is a more backward, structured blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier. It offers a classic Côte Rôtie perfume of black raspberries, olive, crushed flowers and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and layered on the palate, with firm tannin, give it 2-3 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. This traditionally run, family estate pulls mostly from the Côte Brune side of Côte Rôtie. The wines are made by the young Julien Barge, with assistance from his father, Gilles Barge. These latest wines are the finest I’ve tasted from this estate.

Starting out with the two Côte Rôties from Barge, the 2015 Côte Rôtie Côte Brune (97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, aged 36 months in 600-liter barrels) reveals tons of minerality in addition to ample black fruits, toasted spice, beef blood and notes of freshly crushed rocks. This big, masculine, tannic beauty has more richness and depth than the Côte Blonde and will drink nicely for two decades.