2018 - Cote Rotie Lancement, Chambeyron

Deep violet color. Intensely perfumed black and blue fruit, olive, allspice, menthol and floral aromas are complemented by black pepper and smoky mineral notes that build with aeration. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering concentrated, alluringly sweet boysenberry, cherry, candied violet and fruitcake flavors that spread out steadily through the back half. A smoky mineral nuance appears on the impressively long, mineral-dominated finish, where polished tannins provide shape and grip.

100% Syrah. Aged for 24 months in oak (20% new). Cask sample.Tasted blind. Highly oaky nose, dry and chalky tannic feel on the nose, with moderate-intensity black fruit on the palate. Not the longest-lived example, but should nonetheless bloom after a few years in bottle. (RH)