2018 Côte-Rôtie Ampodium Domaine Rostaing

Moving to the Côte Rôties, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is a head turner and is going to rival the 2010 as the greatest vintage of this cuvée to date. A deep ruby/purple hue is followed by sumptuous notes of ripe dark fruits, ground herbs, scorched earth, and violets. Full-bodied, deep, and powerful on the palate, it has the wonderful sense of opulence and purity that's the hallmark of the vintage.

Mostly blended but still in barrel, the 2018 Cote Rotie Ampodium is a terrific introduction to the Côte Rôties of Rostaing. Mulberries and licorice appear on the nose, followed by savory notes of espresso and black olives on the medium to full- bodied palate. It's silky, fine and complex, with a long, softly dusty finish. I also tasted a richer, more structured lot from la Viallière that will be blended in, along with a terrific-looking barrel from Leyat that will add floral, raspberry and mocha notes.

Aromas of ripe, spice-tinged dark berries and pungent flowers are sharpened by sneaky mineral and spice flourishes. Spicy and focused on the palate, offering juicy blackberry, cherry and violet pastille flavors that are complicated by salty olive and cracked pepper nuances. Fleshes out with air while maintaining liveliness and finishes bright, spicy and quite long, displaying sharp clarity, even tannins and lingering florality.

Dark currant, cherry and blackberry fruit is steeped together with anise, mesquite and bramble notes. The finish sports some tarry grip, but keeps a fresh and racy feel in the end. Best from 2023 through 2033.

Blåviolet sort. Ung og rå som en fadprøve. Frugten er tyk og maskulin med mega lakrids, men ikke så meget viol, røg og peber, ligner faktisk mere hermitage end rôtie. Særdeles fadpræget, rasper gummerne med tannin. Har givet denne seks stjerner i tidligere år.