M. Chapoutier : Quatuor 2018

Opaque violet. Smoky blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas pick up pungent herb and floral nuances as the wine opens up. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated yet lively red and blue fruit preserve, exotic spice, olive and violet pastille flavors and a smoky mineral flourish. Closes gently, sweet and long, with slowly emerging tannins and an echo of sappy dark fruit. 20% new oak.

A darker fruited, more mineral-laced wine, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Quatuor comes from a mix of the Côte Blonde, Côte Brune, Tupins, and Neve lieux-dits. Blackberries, ground pepper, herbs, and mineral nuances define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied and has a concentrated, focused mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and outstanding length. It needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and it's going to drink brilliantly for a decade or more.

A pleasant fruity expression, with firm tannins on the palate. Still a little young, it needs to open up in the glass. A serious style for the appellation.