Domaine Rostaing, Cote Rotie, Cote Blonde 2010

Truly blockbuster stuff, and a wine that will compete with the ’99 when it’s at full maturity, the 2010 Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde gave up a spectacular array of sweet red and black raspberry, cassis, violets and underbrush. A full-bodied, impeccably balanced, yet concentrated and massive Côte Rôtie, it has world-class tannin quality, a stacked mid-palate and blockbuster length. It will need another decade to show some maturity, and hold nicely through 2040.

Saturated ruby. A wild, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes red and dark berry liqueur, potpourri and incense, with an intense mineral overtone. Juicy, focused and deeply concentrated but light on its feet, offering palate-coating black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that become fleshier with air. Finishes sweet and extremely long, with silky tannins, outstanding focus and a suave floral pastille quality.