Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie La Vialliere 2020 (750ML)

97+ JD / 95-98 WA / 97 DE

From a great terroir in the northern part of Côte Rôtie, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Le Viallière is another perfumed, mineral-laced 2020, offering a beautiful nose of darker raspberries, camphor, violets, woodsmoke, and grilled bread. Possessing huge minerality, it's medium to full-bodied, has a tight, compact mouthfeel, lots of tannins, and a great finish. It needs to be hidden in the back of the cellar for 7-8 years if possible.--Jeb Dunnuck

While this vineyard suffered immensely from frost in the spring of 2021, the 2020 Cote Rotie la Viaillere looks amazing. Marked by vibrant, intense notes of purple raspberries and violets, this is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with wonderfully fine tannins and a nearly never-ending finish. While La Viallière is not my favorite lieu-dit, this is truly special.—JC, The Wine Advocate

Beautifully detailed, floral, violet-scented nose; totally classic, tender and charming. Medium- to full-bodied, with cooling, fresh blackberry fruit. Super-fine, plentiful but elegant tannins and the little bitter kick is classic Viallière. This is exceptional and will provide a lot of pleasure. Four weeks in tank, 18 months in oak (limited new oak), with natural yeasts and as many stems as possible.—Matt Walls, Decanter