Nice wine. I was crossing my fingers in hopes it would be a surprise. Initially the aromatics had a bourbon barrel/chocolate smell. Thankfully that passed and the aromas became brighter fruit and earth based. On the palate I got currants and pomegranates. Super high acid. The finish is a bit sour. Nice now but not sure it will improve.
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Importer tasting: This will be one tasting note for the 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2012. The grapes for this wine are not destemmed and the wine ages for 12 months in 40% new oak and 60% in one year old barrels. In the bouquet all vintages are more or less the same and show red and dark berries, minerals, blood, bacon, pepper and are rustic. Especially the 2007 and 2009 also have some sweet impressions in the nose and of course the 2004 shows some development. On the palate the wines have the same impressions as in the bouquet as well as some iron. In the 2012 the minerals are quite up front and the wine is more tight than the 2009 and also lighter. It has good acidity and sticky tannin. The 2009 has a pleasant touch of sweetness which is beautifully balanced by good acidity, also a lot of minerals and more smooth tannin than the 2012. The 2007 has mainly dark fruits, also minerals and iron as well as some licorice. A touch of sweetness, firm acidity and good tannin. The 2004 is mature now and also shows some herbs, a nice balance between acidity and sweetness and soft tannin. Concluding: 2012: Elegant wine, still too young. Wait until 2018 and drink until 2024+? 91 2009: Beautiful and tasty wine. Early maturity now, but can last another decade. 92 2007: Beautifully structured wine, showing what it has. Ready now and approx. until 2020. 91 2004: A fairly light and elegant style, completely ready now and the next few years. 90
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Opened by Bill. Did not think this was typical for a Cote Rotie. it had some interesting leather notes with woody herbs but the fruit tasted baked which lowered my score. 89 points.
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Notes of red berries and currants, white pepper and bacon. Red fruit and spice on the palate; somewhat understated and elegant, with good length on the finish. Lovely.
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Much more expressive than last year, though still shy enough that it probably needs 1-2 more years to peak. Smoke, pepper, and leather on the nose. Palaite is still sharply defined by acidity on the attack, but the tannins are silky on the back end. Initially quite narrow on the palate, broadening into the finish, and showing dried red fruits, flower petals, sandalwood, and white pepper. Lengthy leather, spice, and stone driven finish. Feminine and subtle in style. 92-93
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Like most Cote Rotie's with a little age, the fruit is not very evident. I like that about this wine. Unfortunately, the tannins are a bit stronger than most Cote Rotie's which kills the finish a bit. Alcohol well integrated. I don't think this will improve with further age. For the $24 clearance price, this was good value. At the release price, this would be really disappointing.
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A magnum bottle decanted before drinking. Intense nose with no fruit present at all. On the palate extremely "green" with firm tannins. Very tight, still comes across as a young wine. Granite, graphite as in pencil shaving, smoked bacon very distinguishable, actually. Even a little bit floral, but no fruit whatsoever. Firm, austere but elegant wine. Medium body, but rather complex with a long finish. According til Louis Barroul, who participated in the tasting, the pH-value of this wine is extremely high. I believe him.
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Popped and poured. Nose showing some stems, with a slighter heral green flair(olive?), along with licorice and crushed berries and a subtle meat note. Palate is smooth and rather polished, of light-moderate concentration and only some subtle fine tannins in the background. Mild acidity, but fresh and vibrant currants on the palate with a hint of meat and leather. Medium finish, with a little pepper, green herbs, and spice. Wonderful soft velvety mouthfeel, though lacking a little concentration and complexity for me. Not sure I "get" this wine. Still very enjoyable though I'm not sure to drink up or hold. Just seems a little "boring" for lack of a better term, though I love the mouthfeel. Gained some depth and complexity on night two. Bumped a point.
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Nose is a combo stemmy and a bit of brett funk, on the palate is decent fruit, lacking somewhat in intensity or length, a little bland in both flavor profile and acidity/tannic structure. OK, but not memorable.
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2 hour decant. Over the course of 2 more hours turned entirely to green olive. Prior to that, no structure, little flavor, and a complete failure. Cork was flawless. This wine should not be purchased under any circumstances for more than $5.
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Decanted before drinking. Wow! Very-very intense on the nose, with real personality. It's body is not huge, but quite complex and balanced. Very long finish. It was ~30 EUR, cheap for a Cote Rotie...
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A vertical of John X Merriman with Adi Badenhorst, Rustenberg's winemaker (LIWSF, London): Served blind by Adi Badenhorst. A curious nose – meaty, salamis with some cherries, blackcurrants and blackberries. Light palate with soft cherry fruit. Big chewy tannins dominate the finish. This isn’t entirely dissimilar to some Californian pinot noirs, but it’s more likely to be an old world Syrah.
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3/23/2021 - Sennma wrote: flawed
Corked
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9/6/2016 - jasonh wrote: 89 Points
Nice wine. I was crossing my fingers in hopes it would be a surprise. Initially the aromatics had a bourbon barrel/chocolate smell. Thankfully that passed and the aromas became brighter fruit and earth based. On the palate I got currants and pomegranates. Super high acid. The finish is a bit sour. Nice now but not sure it will improve.
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12/6/2015 - danstrings Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lovely balanced herbal earthy syrah, not overly big and bold, rather silky and a GREAT food wine
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3/30/2015 - Zweder wrote: 90 Points
Importer tasting: This will be one tasting note for the 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2012. The grapes for this wine are not destemmed and the wine ages for 12 months in 40% new oak and 60% in one year old barrels. In the bouquet all vintages are more or less the same and show red and dark berries, minerals, blood, bacon, pepper and are rustic. Especially the 2007 and 2009 also have some sweet impressions in the nose and of course the 2004 shows some development. On the palate the wines have the same impressions as in the bouquet as well as some iron. In the 2012 the minerals are quite up front and the wine is more tight than the 2009 and also lighter. It has good acidity and sticky tannin. The 2009 has a pleasant touch of sweetness which is beautifully balanced by good acidity, also a lot of minerals and more smooth tannin than the 2012. The 2007 has mainly dark fruits, also minerals and iron as well as some licorice. A touch of sweetness, firm acidity and good tannin. The 2004 is mature now and also shows some herbs, a nice balance between acidity and sweetness and soft tannin.
Concluding:
2012: Elegant wine, still too young. Wait until 2018 and drink until 2024+? 91
2009: Beautiful and tasty wine. Early maturity now, but can last another decade. 92
2007: Beautifully structured wine, showing what it has. Ready now and approx. until 2020. 91
2004: A fairly light and elegant style, completely ready now and the next few years. 90
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12/16/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Opened by Bill. Did not think this was typical for a Cote Rotie. it had some interesting leather notes with woody herbs but the fruit tasted baked which lowered my score. 89 points.
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12/12/2013 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Notes of red berries and currants, white pepper and bacon. Red fruit and spice on the palate; somewhat understated and elegant, with good length on the finish. Lovely.
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12/12/2013 - thelostverse wrote: 89 Points
Opened by Bill at Praga offline with xhoser. Smoky leather with a bit of white pepper. A touch sweet for me which detracts from the score.
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8/18/2013 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much more expressive than last year, though still shy enough that it probably needs 1-2 more years to peak. Smoke, pepper, and leather on the nose. Palaite is still sharply defined by acidity on the attack, but the tannins are silky on the back end. Initially quite narrow on the palate, broadening into the finish, and showing dried red fruits, flower petals, sandalwood, and white pepper. Lengthy leather, spice, and stone driven finish. Feminine and subtle in style. 92-93
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5/18/2012 - fournet wrote: 88 Points
Like most Cote Rotie's with a little age, the fruit is not very evident. I like that about this wine. Unfortunately, the tannins are a bit stronger than most Cote Rotie's which kills the finish a bit. Alcohol well integrated. I don't think this will improve with further age. For the $24 clearance price, this was good value. At the release price, this would be really disappointing.
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3/13/2012 - madflyfisher wrote:
A magnum bottle decanted before drinking. Intense nose with no fruit present at all. On the palate extremely "green" with firm tannins. Very tight, still comes across as a young wine. Granite, graphite as in pencil shaving, smoked bacon very distinguishable, actually. Even a little bit floral, but no fruit whatsoever. Firm, austere but elegant wine. Medium body, but rather complex with a long finish. According til Louis Barroul, who participated in the tasting, the pH-value of this wine is extremely high. I believe him.
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2/16/2012 - Yagil wrote: 90 Points
dark red-purple
noble rich leather earthy aroma
full body, savory flavors, spicy, earthy, well balanced, long aftertaste - exceeded expectations
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1/30/2012 - Nutty08 wrote: 91 Points
Popped and poured. Nose showing some stems, with a slighter heral green flair(olive?), along with licorice and crushed berries and a subtle meat note. Palate is smooth and rather polished, of light-moderate concentration and only some subtle fine tannins in the background. Mild acidity, but fresh and vibrant currants on the palate with a hint of meat and leather. Medium finish, with a little pepper, green herbs, and spice. Wonderful soft velvety mouthfeel, though lacking a little concentration and complexity for me. Not sure I "get" this wine. Still very enjoyable though I'm not sure to drink up or hold. Just seems a little "boring" for lack of a better term, though I love the mouthfeel.
Gained some depth and complexity on night two. Bumped a point.
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6/2/2011 - alanr wrote: 88 Points
Nose is a combo stemmy and a bit of brett funk, on the palate is decent fruit, lacking somewhat in intensity or length, a little bland in both flavor profile and acidity/tannic structure. OK, but not memorable.
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9/13/2010 - kenhoeve wrote: 80 Points
2 hour decant. Over the course of 2 more hours turned entirely to green olive. Prior to that, no structure, little flavor, and a complete failure. Cork was flawless. This wine should not be purchased under any circumstances for more than $5.
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7/16/2008 - yotaiwan wrote: 91 Points
peppery, sweet tannis still stong, and goes up as you open about 1 hour, then smooths out and retains the fruit and sweet corn.
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5/27/2008 - nzoli wrote: 93 Points
Decanted before drinking. Wow! Very-very intense on the nose, with real personality. It's body is not huge, but quite complex and balanced. Very long finish. It was ~30 EUR, cheap for a Cote Rotie...
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11/10/2007 - vinole wrote: 87 Points
Crown Fall 07 Upscale Tasting (Boca Raton, FL): Medium body and lacking intensity or finish.
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5/23/2007 - andrewstevenson.com wrote: 87 Points
A vertical of John X Merriman with Adi Badenhorst, Rustenberg's winemaker (LIWSF, London): Served blind by Adi Badenhorst. A curious nose – meaty, salamis with some cherries, blackcurrants and blackberries. Light palate with soft cherry fruit. Big chewy tannins dominate the finish. This isn’t entirely dissimilar to some Californian pinot noirs, but it’s more likely to be an old world Syrah.
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