Patrick & Christophe Bonnefond, Cote Rotie, Colline Couzou

100% Syrah Over ripe black cherries, smoked wood, potpourri and vanilla on the nose. Very noticeable French oak influence, with a medium + intensity of aromas. Oak leads the palate, with flavors of smoke and new wood, followed by big over ripe fruits (black cherries and dark plums) and dried herbs (mint and rosemary). It tastes a little "hot weather" to me. Medium + intensity of flavors. Texturally huge and expansive. I expected this much oak on Côte-Rôtie, but not …

Absolutely delicious and unfolds with panache. Blueberry, plum, pork shoulder, lilacs, peppercorn, bacon fat and flower shop, with some earthy elements. Clean and full, with a finish that sails on. Wonderful fruit and weight, with layers. The ability to age is all there and opening today is still advised. Polished. Decanted for three hours. Classic and modern at the same time. Drink now -.

Japanese resto in the four seasons megeve. Deep purple color. Strawberries, red cherries, vanilla, black pepper, on the nose. Med acidity, med body, med alcohol, dry tannins, med flavor intensity, med finish. Nice balance, herbs, olives, greenness, wet forest floor, a touch of mushroom. Subtle mouth but missing some tertiary notes. Like it and recommend to decant it for a couple of hours at this stage.

Compare to 2018 CR Guigal,( Brune et Blonde). Syrah 100% 13.5 abv I think Jeff Leve captured anything I could say about this wine, other than it's longevity. I'll move on to the Guigal comparison, but it seems these Cote Roties' know what they're doing... Addendum - Overnight, little changed. At this moment in time, and as I compare to the Guigal this seems likely to be best over the next decade. It's certainly from 2017 vs 2018, but there's …

Black cherries, black plums, licorice, flowers, and spice notes open the perfume. Fresh, round and silky, with an endnote loaded with cherries and a touch of bitter chocolate. Drink from 2022-2035.

Practically a barrel sample at this point. Very fruit forward with with overt notes of dark fruit and blueberries. Clean, polished and fairly round, but not showing a lot of northern rhone typicity at this point. Will be appealing to some, but a coin flip for me.

Parfyme, rødbær rips, litt enkel. Lang 90

Litt råfrukt i åpningen, litt blekk, jern. Blomster og rødbær i avslutningen. Lang 91