2018 Domaine Georges Vernay Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Assertively perfumed black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of candied flowers, olive and exotic spices. In a concentrated, densely packed style, showing fine definition and spicy cut to its bitter cherry, cassis, fruitcake and violet pastille flavors. Conveys a suave blend of power and energy, finishing taut, spicy and impressively long, with youthfully gripping tannins and resonating florality. One-third whole clusters and 20% new oak.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Josh Raynolds
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The 2018 Côte Rôtie Maison Rouge is all Syrah and saw slightly more stems, fermented with 30% whole clusters, and the aging occurred 25% in foudre and 20% in new barrels, with the balance in used oak. A bigger, richer wine, it offers medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of black raspberries, blackberries, scorched earth, and hints of smoke, with subtle floral nuances with time in the glass. Rich, concentrated, and structured, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will have two decades of overall longevity.
The 2018 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge emanates from a selection of vines planted in the 1950s—the balance of the domaine's plantings in this lieu-dit go into the blended Blonde de Seigneur bottling. It's all Syrah, with about 30% vinified as whole clusters, and matured in 20% new oak. Hints of cedar and wood spice join red berries and cherries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate features ample depth, silky tannins and an expansive feel. The finish adds a hint of mocha and some sturdy tannins, so give it several years in the bottle.