Straight-up sexy, the 2018 Cote A Cote is a Grenache-dominated blend that includes 26% Mourvèdre and 23% Syrah, all aged in 35% new French oak. Stunning notes of black raspberries, ground pepper, Asian spices, and candied violets all flow to a full-bodied, concentrated wine that reminds me of a great vintage of Domaine de la Janasse's Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes cuvée. It shows more chalky minerality with time in the glass and is pure, seamless, and beautifully put together. Drink it over the coming 10-12 years.

Dark, shimmering ruby. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruits, along with suggestions of licorice, mocha, pungent flowers and smoky minerals. Concentrated, palate-staining blueberry, cherry cola and candied lavender flavors are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. The mineral and floral notes drive a strikingly persistent finish that leaves cherry liqueur and exotic spice notes behind.

Outer quote mark A classical Rhône blend, with an earthiness and unfussy power that gives character and impact. This is lightly spiced with fresh acidities from the hill breezes of the Santa Rosa mountains, sculpted and lifted with graphite and slate on the finish. Generous dried fruit character comes in as the wine opens in the glass, bringing in fig, cocoa bean and ripe berry fruits with saffron and rosemary spice. Drinking Window 2022 - 2038 (JA) Inner quote mark (8/2020)

The 2018 Côte a Côte is a blend of 51% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 23% Syrah aged in 35% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and bright aromas of cranberries, blackberries, dusty earth, tea leaves and licorice. The medium-bodied palate has expansive, spicy, juicy fruits in a silky frame, and it finishes very long and layered. 900 cases produced.