Always a blend of the Côte Blonde and Côte Brune lieux-dits, the 2018 Cote Rotie la Mordorée features scents of pencil shavings, raspberries and some tea-like florals. It's medium to full-bodied and silky-textured, but it's concentrated at the same time, with a long, crisp finish that hints at violets.

Deeply perfumed aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, licorice, exotic spices and olive on the intensely perfumed nose. Stains the palate with sappy black currant, boysenberry and candied violet flavors, and steadily picks up spiciness and a hint of minerality with aeration. Rich and weighty but energetic as well, finishing with excellent clarity, mounting tannins and strong, blue-fruit-driven tenacity.

Aged for 18 months in oak. Cask sample. Pretty shy nose. Velvety texture with black cherry, a touch of sappy herbal lift and bitter chocolate. Fine tannins, fresh acidity. Aromatically speaking, still under construction. (RH)