Domaine Georges Vernay : Blonde du Seigneur 2023

The 2023 Côte-Rôtie Blonde du Seigneur, sourced from parcels in Bassenon, Maison Rouge and Lancement and including around 5% Viognier, incorporates a small proportion of whole clusters at the base of the vat and was matured in Bordeaux barrels. It opens with a lightly reductive bouquet of dark fruits, blueberry and black cherry. Medium- to full-bodied, dense, tensile and straight, it’s structured and powerful, displaying a fine sense of length and delineation. Marked by the vintage’s characteristic profile, this is a particularly expressive and firm Côte-Rôtie that will benefit from time in the cellar to fully harmonize.

A mineral-driven, salty version, with a perfumed layer of blackberry compote flanked by shaved iron and racy, tangy acidity for a fresh, taut, long finish. Savory on the close. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2027 through 2035. 7,500 cases made, 855 cases imported.