2013 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie Ampodium

Bright purple. Intense floral pastille, dark berry and peppery spice scents on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy, incisive and pure, showing strong thrust and cut to the gently sweet black raspberry and cherry cola flavors. A smoky mineral quality adds lift to the floral-tinged finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity. 92 points

The 2013 Cote Rotie Ampodium, which was just bottled prior to this tasting, is gorgeous. The wine is made from 100% Syrah from two top terroirs, Cote Blonde and Landonne, and aged all in Burgundy barrels; it has terrific notes of black raspberries, blackberries, crushed violets and dried flowers in a surprisingly forward, nicely concentrated, textured style that can be enjoyed anytime over the coming decade or more. 92 points