Côte Rôtie
2019
In 1781, in the small town of Tupin-et-Semons, south of Lyon and within the most prestigious vineyard of the Rhône, Joseph Vidal founded the House of the same name. From the outset, it acquired an international reputation thanks to Thomas Jefferson, then United States Ambassador to France, who visited the estate in 1787. In the 1890s, Gustave Vidal married a daughter of the Fleury family and Maison Vidal became Maison Vidal-Fleury. These nuptials came at just the right time as the bride's...
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Very steep granitic terraces, thin layer of soil (0,30-1,50m) stabilized with terraces. Southwest, the Côte Blonde : the original rock is gneiss rich in silica giving clayey sands. The Northeast, the Côte Brune : the original rock is micaschist with iron and manganese oxide giving deeper soil with more clay. Southeast exposure optimizes sunshine especially in the morning and protects from north and est cold wind. Proximity of Rhône river and the deep valley moderate the harsh climate.
Appearance, red with some carmine glint. Nose intense and complex. Fesh fruits, violet, pepper, smoky, black olive. Palate rich, soft and fresh. Full bodied, nice balance. Red fruits, blackcurrant, spices (peppery, curry). Persistent with straight flavors and tannin.
Moving to the Côte Rôties, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde De Vidal-Fleury is terrific, and this is a great vintage for the region. Black raspberries, dried flowers, savory meats, and spice all dominate the bouquet, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. I suspect this will be a smoking value and keep for 10-12 years.
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