98+ More black raspberry, camphor, graphite, peppered meat, and powdered rock notes emerge from the 2019 Côte Rôtie Le Vialliere, another flat-out incredible wine from this family. Much straighter and more focused than the more opulent La Landonne, it has a dense mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, full-bodied richness, and perfect balance. It’s singular, heavenly wine that needs to be forgotten for 5-7 years, and it should see its 30th birthday in fine form.

Glass-staining ruby color. Smoke- and mineral-accented cherry and blackberry scents show superb clarity, and licorice and olive nuances build in the glass. Gently sweet, penetrating dark berry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors are underscored by a smoky mineral element and pick up an exotic spice nuance with air. Fleshes out slowly on the fabulously long well-delineated finish, which is framed by solid (but in no way severe) tannins that blend very slowly into the wine's deep, dark fruit. Note that there is no 2020 bottling of this wine as there was too little quantity; thus, it was all blended into the Ampodium, much to that wine's benefit. -- Josh Raynolds

Stylish, floral nose, partly from the whole bunch, party from the site. Very pure, gentle and velvety with dark fruit and tight tannins. Good acidity, alcohol feels just about balanced and overall great finesse - straight and elegant. Touch of menthol and pine needles on the finish. The barrel I tasted might end up being blended into Ampodium - so this cuvée might never see the light of day! Let's hope it gets its own bottling.