Absolutely brilliant aromatics of smoky red and black fruits, spring flowers, black olive, and graphite emerge from the 2023 Côte Rôtie Vieilles Vignes, and with air, more classic smoke, meats, and chocolaty goodness come through. Based on 100% Syrah from the Serine clone sourced from the La Landonne, Chavaroche, Lancement, and Rochains lieux-dits, it was not destemmed and spent two years in new barrels. It's full-bodied and has a beautifully concentrated, layered mouthfeel, perfectly integrated oak, ripe tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. I was able to follow this bottle for multiple days, and it held up beautifully. Hide bottles for 5-8 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Drink 2031-2051.
97 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Feb 2026)