2018 Cote Rotie Les Jumelles

Blueberries, blackberries, spring flowers, and toasted spice notes all emerge from the 2018 Côte Rôtie Les Jumelles. It's medium-bodied, with good fruit, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a straight, focused texture. It's going to drink nicely with just a year or two of bottle age and keep for 8-10 years. Readers who love older vintages of Jaboulet’s flagship Hermitage La Chapelle should be happy with how owner Caroline Frey has managed this domaine since taking over in 2006. She has singlehandedly brought this estate back to its former glory, particularly with their Hermitage releases. Their second wine today, the Maison Bleue, is unquestionably a better wine than many past vintages of their flagship La Chapelle, and I suspect will age even longer.