Also a forward, sexy effort, the 2009 Cote a Cote is 42% Grenache, 33% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre that spent time in 50% new French oak. Loaded with sweet creme de cassis, black raspberry, licorice, chocolate, violets and hints of crushed rock, it is full-bodied, seamless and ultra-polished, with no hard edges and terrific length. There’s no harm in drinking this now, yet I suspect it will evolve easily through 2020. - Jeb Dunnuck