Côte Rôtie Brune et Blonde, Etienne Guigal 2018

All of the classic Cote-Rotie aromas (leather, smoked bacon, spices and black cherry) pour from the glass of this rich and fleshy wine. Very silky texture, in spite of the generous, fine tannins, which build beautifully at the long, complete finish. Drink or hold.

Another incredible base wine is the 2018 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde, which comes from multiple terroirs spread throughout the appellation. It shines for its elegance and finesse and is more medium-bodied, yet brings beautiful fruit, seamless tannins, and classic Côte Rôtie aromas and flavors. The purity of fruit is truly something. It’s drinking brilliantly today and will be drinking brilliantly in 10-15 years as well.

While the 2018 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde comes across as being slightly less complex than the 2017, it's also fruitier and more overtly charming. Cherries and berries abound in this supple, medium to full-bodied effort that finishes long and silky.

I suspect the 2018 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde will be up there with the top vintages of this cuvée, and it shows how strong 2018 was for Côte Rôtie. Beautiful cassis, vanilla bean, spring flowers, and subtle oak nuances give way to a full-bodied beauty that has both power and finesse. I love the tannin quality here, and while it’s going to be accessible in its youth, it’s also going to age gracefully on its purity and balance.