Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie Cote Blonde 2019 (750ML)

97 JD / 97 VM / 95 WS

The 2019 Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde is as seamless and silky as they come and is just a quintessential Côte Rôtie. Black raspberries, flowers, ground pepper, and subtle meatiness all emerge from this beauty, and it’s full-bodied, has remarkable tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It certainly offers pleasure today, but smart money will hide bottles for 4-5 years. It will knock your socks off over the following two decades.--Jeb Dunnuck

Opaque ruby. Intensely perfumed, spice- and mineral-accented blueberry, kirsch, fruitcake and floral aromas are complemented by suggestions of incense and botanical herbs. Shows superb clarity and mineral thrust to its sweet black and blue fruit, cola, violet pastille and spicecake flavors, which deftly meld depth and vivacity. Finishes extremely long and smooth, with polished tannins and reverberating blue fruit, mineral and floral notes. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

This is really packed tight, with a rock-solid core of red and black currant, plum and bitter cherry compote notes, bristling with a singed iron spine and additional pepper and lilac notes along the edges. Ends with a long tarry echo through the finish. Best from 2025 through 2038. From France.—J.M., Wine Spectator Hot Wine