| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Côte Rotie |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A step up over the ’09, the 2010 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde La Chatillonne (88% Syrah and 12% Viognier) gives up a fabulous bouquet of violets, rose petal, blackberry jam, game and hints of wild herbs that continues to develop in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and finesse driven on the palate, with a seamless texture, this gorgeous 2010 can be consumed now (preferably with a decant), or cellared for a decade or more.
Owned by the Guigal team, with the wines made by Guy Sarton-de-Joncquey, Vidal Fleury produces a wealth of high quality releases, most of which represent fantastic values. In addition to the northern and southern Rhone releases reviewed here, readers should also look at Issue 209 for the remainder of the southern Rhone efforts.
Velvety edges of mocha and ganache guide the core of dark plum, black currant and loganberry fruit, balanced by well-embedded iron, sanguine and dark olive accents, adding texture and length on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2027
This single vineyard "lieu-dit" wine is made from a 0.8 hectare parcel of vines within the Côte Blonde. It is planted with 88% Syrah and 12% Viognier. About 3000 bottles are produced annually with maturation in barrel for nearly 4 years before release. This has a classic syrah nose of black pepper and bacon fat. Black fruits dominate the palate but there is a round, smooth, plush mouthfeel from the extended barrel ageing. Young, but the tannins are soft and silky so it can be drunk now or over the next 10-20 years.
With a beautiful floral nose, made even better with its smoke, earth, wild cherry, blackberry, stone, spice and espresso nose. Silky, polished, lively and fresh, medium/full bodied, with sweetness and purity to the dark red and black fruits that is good now, and will be better with age. For a Cote Rotie of this quality, the wine is priced quite fair, as Cote Rotie is an ever increasingly expensive appellation.
