Saturated ruby. Potent, finely detailed aromas of red and dark fruit liqueur, smoked meat, potpourri and exotic spices, along with a vibrant mineral top note. Sappy, alluringly sweet and penetrating, offering intense cherry, boysenberry, allspice and star anise flavors and a potent suggestion of candied lavender. Silky, finely wrought tannins build steadily through an exceptionally long, penetrating finish that echoes the floral and mineral notes. JR

Leading off two perfect wines, the 2020 Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde comes from two separate plantings going back to the 1970s and was brought up all in barrel. A legendary Côte Rôtie in every way, it offers an incredible perfume of sweet cassis, black raspberries, spring flowers, incense, camphor, and hints of cured meats. This carries to a full-bodied Côte Rôtie that has just about off-the-charts richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautifully polished tannins, and flawless balance. This unquestionably rivals the 1999, and while it's going to have some early accessibility, it deserves at least 4-6 years of bottle age and will last for two decades or more.