Côte Rôtie Côte Brune, Domaine René Rostaing 2019

For the second time in the past four vintages, this parcel of vines—replanted in 2000—has yielded a "perfect" wine. Rostaing's 2019 Cote Rotie Cote Brune boasts crazy but harmonious complexity on the nose. From scents of violets and rose petals to red raspberries and currants and on to savory tones of black olives and mocha, there's just so much going on, yet all combine effortlessly to pull the taster inexorably into the wine. Then the swells of concentration and layers of texture cross the palate, lingering in velvety richness on the long, vibrant finish. Just. Wow.

Just about pure perfection, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Côte Brune boasts a dense purple hue to go with a monster bouquet of blackberry and black raspberry fruits as well as smoky bacon fat, crushed stone, truffle, and assorted floral nuances. The tannins are as good as it gets, it’s full-bodied, and it has a multidimensional mouthfeel and a great finish.