E.A.R.L. Jasmin Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhône

Côte Rôtie is the northernmost of the Rhône vineyards and there have been vines on these "roasted slopes" for 24 centuries. Jasmin owns just under ten acres in the Côte-Brune and Côte-Blonde. The steep terraced slopes must be tended by hand but the reward is a wine of great class that vies with Hermitage as the world's finest example of syrah. When Robert Jasmin was tragically killed by a reckless driver a few years ago, the Estate fell into the careful hands of son Patrick who carries on his father's work. He uses no new oak, preferring two and three year old Tronçais barrels from Burgundy growers. Jasmin himself prefers his wine at five years though it is capable of prolonged aging. Patrick has been very successsful in a remarkably short time. The grapes are now destemmed and the time in wood has been lessened. He has also reduced the number of bottlings so as to guarantee greater consistency between the different markets that it is sold in. "The most elegant and polished wines of the Côte Rôtie..." Robert Parker.

Côte Rôtie 2006 The Jasmin wines come from three vineyards above the village of Ampuis. They are elegant wines noted for possessing superb finesse and balance rather than weight. There are no scores yet for the 2006, but the 2005 received the following review. "Dark red. Perfumed, red berry-dominated bouquet of fresh violet, minerals and baking spices. Fleshy raspberry and cherry flavours are firmed by silky tannins and energized by vibrant minerality. I really like this wine's unadorned, understated personality. Finishes sweet, broad and long, with outstanding focus." 91 points, International Wine Cellar Jan/Feb 2008