4/99. Bought at auction, Feb-99 for $65 (imported for $85 net).
My first taste from this Rhone producer. Tonight, to accompany a 'homish' Independence Day dinner at home.
COLOR: Medium-dark purple-red with very thin clearing around the rim. Some sediment and rich 'legs'.
NOSE: Impressive and attention grabbing. Sweetish aroma of black forest fruit, wood and raw meat, with some slight yeasty notes. Every new pour from the bottle boosted and revitalized the excellent nose.
TASTE: Real follow-up of the nose. Extremely tasty, with sweetish fruit and refreshing acidity. Very good concentration, totally harmonious, velvety and smooth with hardly any discernible tannins.
LENGTH: Long, round and very pleasant aftertaste.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium bodied wine with plenty of winyness. Completely mature and totally integrated. Excellent fruit, very good acidity, receding tannins. Medium structure and perfect balance. Somewhat lighter than most Cote Rotie I've had, but this seems to be a matter of style rather than lack of stuffing. A point!
OVERALL: Superb! Really fine wine with plenty of individuality and personality. At its peak now and in the near future.

MARK: 18/20.

BUY MORE? Yes.

Reach Me? yak@yakshaya.com

Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.