2018 Cote Rotie Cote Brune

Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral-tinged dark berry, floral pastille and smoky bacon scents show superb definition and take on a touch of olive paste with air. Sappy and penetrating in the mouth, offering concentrated bitter cherry, black currant, candied violet and exotic spice flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. The floral and mineral notes carry emphatically through the penetrating finish, which features youthfully gripping tannins and lingering smokiness.

The 2018 Côte Rôtie Côte Brune is more bloody and meaty, with a dense, powerful, concentrated style. It has a distinct iron character as well as classic Côte Rôtie spice and dried flowers. It’s certainly another masculine, concentrated, age-worthy wine from this team. This was another power-packed lineup from the Rostaing Family, and you can’t go wrong with any of these new releases. The 2017s show the sunny yet also elegant style of the vintage and have beautifully polished, ripe tannins. These wines offer pleasure even today but do your best to give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age, especially the single vineyard releases. Looking at the 2018s, these are largely in the same style yet have slightly more concentrated, structured profiles. My money is on the 2018s requiring slightly more bottle age, but I’ll report on those from bottle this time next year. In addition to the Côte Rôties, don’t miss a chance to try the Languedoc and Collines Rhodaniennes releases. Both represent terrific wines as well as value.

Marked by hints of mint and herbal tea on the nose, the 2018 Cote Rotie Cote Brune is another terrific effort from this parcel of vines that was replanted in 2000. Raspberries and blueberries surge forward on the medium to full-bodied palate, building in richness and complexity on the firm, palate-coating finish.