"Sexy, mineral-laced black raspberry, cherry compote and floral pastille aromas are complemented by exotic spice and olive flourishes. Sappy and precise on the palate, offering vibrant red and dark berry and candied violet flavors underscored by a seam of smoky minerality. Finegrained, even tannins sneak in very slowly and meld seamlessly on the strikingly long finish, which leaves behind vibrant spice, red fruit liqueur and mineral notes." -Josh Raynolds
Robert Parker
RP97-99
"The most tannic of the 'big three' bottlings this year, the 2018 Côte Rôtie la Côte Blonde features elegant hints of mixed herbs entwined around bold boysenberry fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, with plentiful fine-grained tannins that firm up on the long finish. Embryonic, but oh so promising, it should blossom in another five years or so." -Joe Czerwinski
Decanter
D97
"The winemaking at Domaine Rostaing is now in the hands of René's son Pierre, and it follows the same format for all the Côte-Rôties: four weeks in tank, 18 months in mostly old oak, natural yeasts, and as many stems as possible. A certain spice and perfume is contained within a dark, brooding mass, which has really fragrant, lifted, sweet berry fruit. There's considerable tangy berry acidity and blackberry-skin tannins, and it shows a good sense of refinement despite the remarkably powerful sinew. A very long, well balanced finish. Give it time. Drinking Window 2026 - 2039." -Matt Walls