Tardieu Laurent : Côte-Rôtie "Vieilles Vignes" 2020

An immediately enticing nose, with intense crispy bacon notes, ripe blackberry and toasted spices. Medium-bodied despite its intense concentration, the acidity isn’t terribly high, but it does feel balanced. Very ripe, pliable tannins, this is a rich, potent, concentrated style. Plush and seductive.

I loved the 2020 Côte Rôtie Vieilles Vignes, a spectacular Côte Rôtie that offers up heavenly notes of black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, and bacon fat. A quintessential expression of this appellation, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a layered, pure, seamless mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s approachable today and will continue drinking brilliantly over the coming 15–20 years.

Magnificent aroma that is both floral and mineral, with a long, slender palate that is extraordinarily racy. Fantastic balance, great depth—a major cuvée of the appellation in this vintage.