2003 M. Chapoutier Côte-Rôtie La Mordoree

The finest Cote Rotie Chapoutier has produced since 1991, the dense purple-hued 2003 Cote Rotie La Mordoree reveals a sumptuous perfume of new saddle leather, barbecued meats, herbs, black raspberries, and creme de cassis. This stunningly concentrated, full-bodied, rich wine takes Cote Rotie to a new quality level. Sadly, there are only 330 cases of this elixir. It can be drunk young or cellared for 15-20+ years.

Deep red. Vibrant scents of raspberry, redcurrant and strawberry jam, tinged by a note of smoked meat. On the palate, nervy acidity lifts and sharpens the impressively concentrated red berry flavors. A beautifully textured Cote-Rotie that shows excellent verve for the vintage.

Ruby-red. Superripe aromas of blackberry, smoked meat, graphite and mocha. Fat, lush and sweet, but a bit heavy; almost too big for its own good. Very ripe and rich but could use a bit more verve. Best today on the very long finish, which features rich, sweet, building tannins.