2008 Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie

Tasting through both cuvees of Jamet’s 2008 Cote Roties showed the 2008 Cote Rotie regular bottling to be herbaceous, tannic, austere and tough to grasp. It possesses a dark ruby color as well as some raspberry and herbal fruit, but it comes across as sinewy and astringent. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

Vivid red. Highly fragrant, displaying scents of red berries, rose and baking spices, with a hint of white pepper. Smells like a sexy Burgundy. Lithe and precise raspberry and cherry flavors show a suave blend of sweetness and energy, with zesty acidity adding lift. Finishes on a nervy mineral note, with an excellent, floral-dominated persistence. I underestimated this wine when I tasted it last year.

Mid crimson going to ruby. Peppery and lively on the nose. Certainly different from the 2009s but very pretty. Very light and fresh and transparent. Very pure. Racy. (JR)