The 2006 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde (which includes 3% Viognier) is superb. An intoxicating perfume of lavender, violets, sweet cherry jam, licorice, frying lard, and abundant berry fruit is followed by a velvety-textured, opulent, long, rich, seamlessly constructed wine. This hedonistic and intellectually pleasing offering should be consumed over the next 10-15 years. One of the benchmark producers of Cote Rotie, Rene Rostaing’s wines are made in a classic, traditional style, and are aged in either demi-muids or small barrels, a tiny percentage of which is new. Rostaing’s 25 acres spread throughout heritage sites on the two hillsides of the Cote Blonde and Cote Brune include some of the finest vineyards of the appellation.Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Showing beautiful richness and depth, the 2006 C?te R?tie C?te Blonde had a classic feel in its spicy, bacon fat and sweetly fruited personality. Full-bodied and voluptuous on the palate, with beautiful fruit and textured, it’s already hard to resist, yet I suspect will evolve gracefully on its balance and harmony.