black and blue fruits plus a lovely hint of violets that sit atop dusty

these represent the pinnacle of Cote Rotie—albeit in very different styles

There is outstanding concentration and muscle to the punchy medium weight plus flavors that conclude in a beautifully long and notably firm finish of focused power and seriously good depth

as it will almost certainly head for a slumber during which it will be impossible to evaluate with any accuracy

These two new releases from proprietor Roberto Conterno are stellar

Roche Bellene, Richebourg Vintage:2016 black and blue fruits plusStrong reduction knocks down the nose. By contrast there is plenty of verve to the supple, cool and wonderfully pure mineral driven middle weight flavors. There is plenty of muscle and a certain robust power and while the shaping tannins are dense they are also relatively fine, all wrapped in a solidly long and mouth coating finish. (92 94) 2025+