Burgaud/Bernard Côte-Rôtie 2018

95 points Matt Walls (Decanter): “This is rounded and very pure with good impact and immediate interest. There’s plenty of juniper and thyme on the nose and palate over deep blackberry and loganberry fruit. This has depth, concentration and length and is very well-balanced with a driving vinosity. Should last well. A small, traditional family domaine of 4.5ha, across lieux-dits; Le Champin, Leyat, Les Moutonnes, Côte-Blonde, Fongeant and La Brosse. Grapes are destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts and aged for 15 months in barrel before bottling, 20% new. Drinking Window: 2023-2031. (Oct 2019)”

94+ points Jeb Dunnuck: “The 2018 Cote Rotie (100% Syrah brought up mostly in neutral barrels) has a deeper, darker character in its blackberry and currant-like fruits as well as notes of scorched earth, peppered meat, graphite, and crushed stone-like minerality. It’s rich and medium to full-bodied, with terrific balance and outstanding length. While the 2017 is upfront and ready to go, this is a longer-term prospect and needs a good 4-5 years of bottle age. Drink: After 2025. (3/5/21)”