Deep, lurid violet. Potent, mineral- and spice-accented red and dark fruit preserve aromas take on hints of olive and licorice as the wine opens up. Shows very good depth as well as energy in the mouth, offering gently sweet raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicy black pepper. Distinctly suave and focused on the impressively long finish, which features sneaky tannins and a late, sweetening jolt of candied violet. For an entry-level Côte-Rôtie, this wine is awfully impressive. 10% new oak. -- Josh Raynolds

(90-92 points) Aged 18 months in 10-15% new French oak, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Colline De Couzou is a beauty, and those looking for a fleshy, forward, beautifully made Côte Rôtie to drink over the coming decade won't go wrong with this. Pure black raspberries, toasted spice, graphite, and spring flower notions all give way to a medium-bodied, softy, beautifully approachable Côte Rôtie that's going to drink nicely right out of the gate.

A blend of several parcels aged in 10% new oak, the 2018 Cote Rotie Colline de Couzou amounts to the Bonnfonds' entry-level Côte Rôtie. Hints of maple syrup and caramelized meat accent mixed berries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is ripe and round, yet supported by a balanced level of dusty tannins through a long finish. - Joe Czerwinski