Wine Advocate December, 2013

The most impressive of the lineup is the 2012 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde, which comes from Rene’s 1.5 hectares in the Cote Blonde lieu-dit and the plots Mouline and Chatillonne. Serious and slightly reserved, with notions of campfire, charcoal and graphite intermixed with ample dark fruit, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, impressive concentration and a straight, age-worthy and classical feel. Give it 4-5 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.

Inky purple. Sexy aromas of cassis, cherry compote and Asian spices. Supple, pliant and fine-grained, with intense, palate-staining dark berry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors complemented by zesty minerality. Densely packed, suave and polished, finishing with gentle tannins and superb focus, energy and thrust. This wine's blend of power and finesse makes it one of the best 2012s I tasted on my November tour.