The star of the show, the 1999 C?te R?tie C?te Blonde is an incredible C?te R?tie that possesses the awesome complexity and nuance that this appellation is known for, but also has an incredible, seamless, yet massive feel on the palate that has to be tasted to be believed. Utter perfection, with heavenly notes of cured meats, black raspberry, spring flowers and violets, it’s certainly one of the greatest C?te R?ties I’ve tasted. While it will evolve gracefully for another decade or more, it’s heavenly today.

What can I say about the 1999 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde. This is a dry vintage port-like Cote Rotie. It possesses extraordinary intensity, brilliant harmony, and a staggering bouquet of violets laced with other flowers (paperwhite narcissus come to mind), blackberries, cassis, vanilla, and a touch of honey. The wine is unctuously-textured yet remarkably well-defined, with elegance married to intense concentration as well as an extremely long finish, this is one of the most profound and seductive Cote Roties I have ever tasted. There are 500 cases of this nectar. Anticipated maturity: now-2018.Rene Rostaing was apologetic for his 1999s, undoubtedly the greatest vintage he has ever produced. He was quick to point out that they are "atypical and too rich." Excuse me! This is Cote Rotie at its most concentrated and seductive. One of the most intelligent winemakers in Cote Rotie, Rene Rostaing continues to exhibit maturity as well as wisdom with the conditions he confronts in each vintage.Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524