2019 Cotes du Rhone 'Equivoque'

Deeper than the straight Côtes du Rhône, the Équivoque shows black fruit and a touch of wood spice, yet has the same underlying freshness. Rosemary stalks, peppercorns and nutmeg come with deep brambly fruit and chalky tannins on the palate. Really this is a mini Rôtie – and needs a couple of years. Crunchy and full of spice on a very long finish. (TP)

Leading off the 2019s, the Côtes Du Rhône Equivoque comes from vines bordering Côte Rôtie. Another gem of a wine, it offers ripe berry fruit, lots of pepper and floral notes, a round, medium to full bodied mouthfeel, and a great finish. It shows the ripeness of the vintage, but it’s balanced and already hard to resist.

The 2019 Cotes du Rhone Equivoque (tasted from tank prior to bottling) was vinified entirely whole cluster and spent two years in barrel with 10% new oak. It's floral and red fruited compared to the regular Cotes du Rhone, with unique spice elements adding even more complexity. Full-bodied and velvety in feel, it finishes impressively long and elegant.