I am never quite sure what to make of a review describing a wine as “burgundian”. In the case of Cote Rotie, is that lauding with high praise or damning with faint praise? Nonetheless, that is the first descriptive that entered my mind, along with the accompanying cherry fruit and supple earth. Tannins were mostly resolved, resulting in a soft texture that was quite easy to drink, but I suspect it still has a decade of life in it.
On the other hand, it was served with my wife’s (delicious) grilled kufta, which really calls for the wilder side of syrah IMHO. This wine had neither the power nor the funk nor the fierceness that sometimes necessitate a viognier co-fermentation.
Maybe it had a wilder youth/adolescence? Those who prefer a calmer style of syrah will be pleased. If served blind and told it was a 1er Nuits St. Georges, I probably would rate it higher. Next time I will pull out a cornas. 91