Côte Rôtie, Domaine Jean-Paul Jamet 2010

No final blend had been assembled but the ingredients tasted from cask (18% new in 2009 and 2010; 15% in 2011) were very promising. Destemmed - This will constitute 10% of the final blend. Bright crimson and crackling fresh - even very slightly skinny at the moment. Whole bunch - Silky, fine, very fresh and pure. Less flattering than the destemmed sample but there's a wonderful song underneath. Tougher soil provenance - Meat-and-two-veg nose and lots of backbone with the dry finish but still very pure. Blend of Landonne, Côte Blonde and Côte Rozier - Vibrant, meaty, with lots of acidity and tranparency. Aromatic and exuberant. Full of energy. Another cask - Very peppery Syrah nose with red fruits on the palate. Overall very pure but dense and expressive.

Deep, rich and smoky, there is a spicy, peppery, dark-fruited character to the 2010. This wine shut down for some time in its first decade but is now delivering brilliantly. Surprisingly fine and fresh given the dark fruit and rich structure, this shows superb delineation of fruit, game, dried herbs and pepper. Still crunchy, powerful and long, it will likely continue to improve in time and deserve a higher score. (TP)
Drink 2022 – 2037

First presented in components: Sample #1, from Lancement: Bright, floral and spicy, with intense red fruit character and a silky texture. Shows excellent energy on the finish. #2, from Gerine: 100% whole clusters here; spice-accented black and blue fruits and a suave floral quality. Offers a blend of richness and vivacity, with supple tannins coming on late. #3, mostly from Fongeant: Intense blackberry and cherry character, with a hint of candied violet. Shows good focus and gentle tannic grip on the back. #4, from Le Plomb: Explosive dark fruit liqueur and floral aromas and flavors, with a subtle note of exotic spices and building minerality. Rich but lively, finishing with excellent clarity. #5, from Mornachon: Ripe cherry and dark fruits on the nose, with a smoky overtone. Rich and supple, with deep blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors and solid finishing punch. #6, a blend of Moutonne and Chavaroche: Sexy floral- and spice-accented red berries and bitter cherry on the nose and palate. Juicy and precise, with intense florality on the finish. #7, mostly La Landonne, with some Cote Blonde and Cote Rozier: Shows a wild array of dark fruit and floral qualities, with smoke, licorice and mace accents. Broad and pliant, with excellent finishing thrust and clarity. Jamet then made a hypothetical final blend: Opaque ruby. Heady aromas of red and dark berry preserves, Asian spices, anise and minerals, with a touch of mocha. Completely stains the palate with sweet black raspberry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors, with a firm core of minerality adding lift and cut. A bright, extremely persistent finish features suave spicecake and floral qualities, along with powerful berry and cherry notes.