Tasted double blind. Ripe apple from start-to-finish with good+ density and some baby fat that should soften in a year or two. A bit of new oak protrudes right now as well, but that too, will easily integrate. Expecting white Burgundy, this clearly was NOT that, but quickly came across as New World Chardonnay to me from cooler climate, made in a lean style. Correctly identified as Oregon (vs Cali), then thought Walter Scott (knowing Rich is a fan). A very successful wine, probably "90 points" now, but 91+ point upside.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. Floral and well spiced with black cherry and plum, alongside plenty of earth. Very engaging but we all thought this older than 2012, and I thought it more likely Côte Blonde. Despite seeming so mature, this opened up with more time in glass, and was better after open5 hours vs when first tasted, with more bacon fat emerging, even while still fairly earthy. Best to enjoy by 2032.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. This had been opened 10 hours before tasting, and still backward and brooding. Dense, meaty and so powerful with a minerally, saline, ferrous character. Patience required, better after 2030. Blend from both Côte Brune and Blonde.

Served double blind in Côte-Rotie tasting. Rich and elegant with plenty of bright black fruit and black pepper with good+ weight and very good balance. Already open 4 hours before serving, this is a charming Côte-Rotie that can easily be enjoyed now, but will likely improve even further.

Served double blind in Côte-Rotie tasting. Black plum with fresh and dried black cherry in equal proportion to earth and mushroom notes. Plenty of black pepper and cloves with great balance and engaging nooks and crannies emerging and retracting over time.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. Some tasters tried to like this, but I found it overwhelming volatile.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. Black cherry with as much earth and mushroom, finishing with roasted meat on good finish with medium length. Time to drink up.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting, alongside the 2009 regular cuvee. Red and black cherry with good weight, better length. Nicely finessed. Very good already now.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting, alongside the 2012 Grandes Places cuvee. This was more powerful, but burly and backward. Lots here, but little pleasure yet, despite having been open for hours.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. Heat damaged.

Double blind in Côte-Rôtie tasting. Ripe and rich black cherry and plum, well supported by bacon, tapenade, black pepper and clove notes. Wonderfully balanced, especially for this vintage. Very good now.

Served double blind following a Côte-Rôtie tasting. I was confused by the wine. Red cherry start-to-finish, but a firm, tannic finish was nearly harsh and detracted considerably from its enjoyment. I did not think this red burgundy, despite this being a wine I've enjoyed many times. Perhaps it being a last minute poo-and-pour at cellar temperature hurt its performance, or perhaps this was a slightly off bottle.