Another incredible base wine is the 2018 Côte Rôtie Brune Et Blonde, which comes from multiple terroirs spread throughout the appellation. It shines for its elegance and finesse and is more medium-bodied, yet brings beautiful fruit, seamless tannins, and classic Côte Rôtie aromas and flavors. The purity of fruit is truly something. It's drinking brilliantly today and will be drinking brilliantly in 10-15 years as well.

This pushes lots of alder, incense and singed tobacco notes to the fore, with commensurate cherry and red currant paste flavors following behind that, finishing with perfume and red tea accents. This is not shy with its oak treatment and very nicely done. Best from 2022 through 2034. 500 cases imported.

While the 2018 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde comes across as being slightly less complex than the 2017, it's also fruitier and more overtly charming. Cherries and berries abound in this supple, medium to full-bodied effort that finishes long and silky.