2019 Côte-Rôtie Esprit de Blonde, Pierre Gaillard

As we have experienced in previous vintages, this is once again a show-stoppingly beautiful Côte Rôtie (very difficult to spit, when tasting in February 2021). A blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Viognier from vineyards exclusively on the Côte Blonde, the wine has been ageing in new oak barrels. The result is a deeply purple wine that has intensely perfumed, complex, peach, violet and spiced black fruit aromas. This is a full, layered, super-silky wine, with underlying mineral presence and impressive depth of fruit. Structure is fine boned, the finish being vital and powerful (for drinking 2025-2038+).