2010 Côte-Rôtie La Garde Domaine de Bonsérine

Captivating, with mocha, warmed blueberry reduction and raspberry ganache aromas leading the way for velvety plum paste, fig sauce and Turkish coffee notes. The broad finish smolders with charcoal, supported by a graphite spine. Serious juice. Best from 2017 through 2030. From France.-J.M.

The outstanding 2010 Cote Rotie La Garde possesses lots of floral notes intermixed with caramelized white fruits, raspberries, black cherries, licorice and toasty oak. This broad, savory, expansive, medium to full-bodied Cote Rotie is ideal for drinking over the next decade.

Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2010 Domaine de Bonserine Côte-Rôtie La Gardev is the top wine of the estate and is a blend of 100% Syrah from three lieux-dits: Côte-Brûne, Côte Blonde, and Les Moutonnes. Possessing a deep, almost backwards feel, with classic dark fruits, wild herbs, mineral, and crushed flowers on the nose, it carries itself beautifully on the palate and has a rich, medium to full-bodied texture, big fruit, and ripe, supple tannin framing the finish. It should be reasonably approachable on release, yet benefit from short term cellaring, and shine for 10-12 years or more.