M. Chapoutier : Neve 2019

From a lieu-dit that sits quite high on the slope, the 2019 Cote Rotie Neve shows a bit more oak than the Mordoree bottling, featuring vanilla and cedar layered atop raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied, it's rich and concentrated, yet silky in texture, with a long, mouthwatering finish.

A dark and brooding Côte-Rôtie, with black fruit and violet emerging from a background of charred mesquite, singed wild herbs, bitter dark chocolate and smoked meat. Needs time in the cellar to fully express its potential. Best from 2025 through 2035. 5 cases imported.

A decidedly smoky style that’s robust with plenty of impact, and very tannic and focused. The oak is noticeable but not excessive, and there's no excess alcohol, just great drive and freshness. Thyme, rosemary and blackberry characters come through with real searing intensity without excess weight. Long and direct like an arrow. So impressive, with great balance and precision. Lieu-dit Neve in Ampuis, a south/southeast-facing mid-slope site. All destemmed, fermented in concrete, aged in 225-litre barrels, around 30% new.

The bouquet is like a huge bunch of flowers, although many of the aromas head in balsamic, leathery and spicy directions. With a little aeration, smoke and cigar-tobacco notes develop. Deep blackberry and black-cherry fruit on the expansive palate, the substantial core of fine tannins holding this extravagance together beautifully. Long, silky and spicy finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

Inky ruby. Expansive aromas of blackberry, cherry and boysenberry, with exotic spice, potpourri and olive notes building in the glass. Deeply pitched and broad on the palate, offering intense, mineral-accented black and blue fruit liqueur, licorice, floral pastille and cola flavors, along with a spicy cracked pepper flourish. The floral quality builds steadily with air and carries through a wonderfully long, chewy finish that features resonating mineral and spice notes and youthfully gripping tannins.

More charming fruit than La Mordorée; in this vintage it tastes with elegance, finishing driven by freshness. It’s a seducer.

Juicy and floral, Neve is nicely balanced and full of flavor.