Saturated magenta. Vibrant, mineral-accented dark berry and cherry-cola aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice, smoked meat and exotic spices. Densely packed and sharply focused on the palate, offering juicy blackberry, kirsch, smoky bacon and violet pastille flavors that become firmer and spicier with aeration. Marries richness and finesse with a sure hand and finishes impressively long and precise, with solid floral thrust and polished, slowly building tannins. 100% whole clusters and a third new oak.

A racy, high-pitched, mineral-driven style, with raspberry and damson plum coulis notes pierced with savory and sanguine accents. The long, tight-grained, iron-edged finish resonates. Best from 2022 through 2034. 2,000 cases made, 370 cases imported.

The 2019 Côte Rôtie, which is all whole cluster Syrah, offers a more full-bodied, rich, powerful style while still holding on to plenty of elegance. Blackberries, crushed stone, ground pepper, and violets define the bouquet, and I love its balance, it brings lots of fruit yet stays pure and fresh, and it has a great finish. This is a ripe, powerful vintage for Côte Rôtie, and this handles it nicely.