E. Guigal Cote-Rotie Brune et Blonde - 2020

Eye : Dark ruby red
Nose : Spices, red berries and delicate oak aromas
Palate : Round soft tannins. Aromas of rasberry, blackberry and vanilla
Overall : Balance between scarcely perceptible acidity and tannins which add ageing potential and softened by long ageing in oak.

Wine Advocate 91-93: Seductive, smoky notes of grilled bacon, ripe cherries and blueberries emerge on the nose of the 2020 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde. Full-bodied and reasonably concentrated, it finishes with an elegant wash of silky tannins. It appears reasonably forward and should be approachable soon after release.

James Suckling 95: In spite of the dark forest berry fruit this has so much floral and mineral freshness, it is uplifting! Concentrated and very focused, the interplay of oak, fine fruit tannin and fruit aromas on the palate are spot on. Just bottled, so it really benefits from some air in the glass or decanting. A cuvee of 96% syrah and 4% viognier. Matured in 50% new oak and 50% used barrels for three years.

Wine Spectator 93: A polished, modern style, with a rush of black fruit, bitter cherry and incense layered with smoldering tobacco and cigar box. Succulent acidity races through, bringing balance to the svelte, smoky finish. Syrah and Viognier. Drink now through 2034.

James Suckling 94: This is refined, textural and chiseled. It has notes of sweet berries, charred bark, sandalwood and chocolate. It's medium- to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Velvety texture, with a layered and bright core of red berries at the center. It's all in balance with a refined character. Controlled power and a precise finish. Drink or hold.