Côte Rôtie, Côte Blonde, 2023
Deep and rich and suave, carried by a seam of sparkling red fruits and juicy, invigorating acidity, full of layers: salts, sweet spice, violets, and a long, seamless finish. Stunning. A plot of 50--year-old vines planted on whiter, more limestone soils than the La Landonne, giving a stricter style of wine but with finer-cut tannins and shape. Fermented with 100% whole bunches and aged in large demi-muid casks, a maximum of 10% of which are new.
critic reviews
The 2023 Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde makes a compelling start at this youthful stage, opening with pronounced orange blossom, peak-fresh black cherry, spice box and crushed violets. Pencil shavings and blackberry add further aromatic breadth. The 2023 touches the medium to full-bodied palate with elevated flavor concentration, effortlessly balanced by uplifting acidity that brings verve and beguiling tension. The finish is extremely tight and linear, carrying through to a long, elegant close. This is outstanding.