(94-96)Similarly colored, the purple-hued 2016 Côte Rôtie La Brocarde incorporates 5% Viognier and comes from the La Brocarde lieu-dit and will see 26 months in new barrels. It offers more blue fruits, violets, and liquid rock characteristics, full body, a deep, stacked mid-palate, and building tannins. It's a primordial barrel sample that's going to require 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years.

From 30 year old vines, all destemmed. It has a pretty, floral nose with rose and incense, a touch of sandalwood, and glimmers of integrated oak spice. Medium-bodied on the palate, it's lush in fruit and concentrated with a suede texture. Joyful, fresh and well balanced, with a ripe tannic frame and good acidity. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/rhone/christophe-maryline-billon-la-brocarde-cote-rotie-2016-15911#r49WVHaebFVbkvKM.99

(90 - 92)Still in barrel, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Brocarde shows some vanilla and cedar shadings but not enough to overpower its bold aromas of cracked pepper, black olives and blackberries. It's full-bodied and rich, with a plush, velvety mouthfeel and long finish. Pretty heady, intense stuff. - JC