TN: 2015 Xavier Gerard Côte-Rôtie (France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie)

WINE TALK
1
  • 2015 Xavier Gerard Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (3/12/2020)
    Really very nice on pop n pour. Lots of sharp fruit and great underlying structure. No flab. This will be great with some age. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Nice, concise TN. I have three, haven’t opened one yet. Would opening one now be a waste (I don’t have a ton of experience with ageing Côte-Rôtie)?

3

I think this is in a good place to open, personally. I like the “Rule of 15” for Northern Rhones generally, but this bottling is on the more generous side. It’s a touch glossier on the finish than my ideal preference in the Northern Rhone, but I like it a lot aromatically. Though giving it some air wouldn’t hurt.

Gerard’s LaLa is a considerably more powerful and complex wine that’s very down my alley; open that one without a huge decant at your own peril.

4

Right on point, plus the riper vintage lends itself for more youthful appreciation.

5

Thank you, Gentlemen. Now, what food with which to pair it…

6

Nice wine. The '14 version has also been drinking well.

7

How is the '16 drinking now? The awesome '15 makes me want to find some. I’ll look for '14 too.
I typically like some age on my N Rhones but it sure is nice to try one young when it’s singing like this '15 is.

8

Well but it needs some time. I a have note on it in CT…

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2015 Xavier Gerard Côte-Rôtie - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie (4/16/2021)
– decanted 1.5 hours before initial taste –
– tasted non-blind over a couple hours –

NOSE: dark; brooding; mix of olive and tar; fruits come across as ripe/baked/dark — dark raspberry dominates; a touch floral.

BODY: medium-full bodied; violet-garnet color of great depth.

TASTE: “dark”; smoky; and dark-fruited; hint of olive; gentle, medium-fine tannins; adequate acidity; alc. is a touch noticeable. Fully primary, and a bit clumsy, at the moment. Best to Hold.

50, 5, 12, 16, 7 = (90 pts.)

10

Anyone tried the 18? It’s the first vintage I’ve come across here.

11

Thanks for the note.

Personally i have decided to live by Matt Walls rule of thumb for Cornas and Côte-Rôtie:

Drink at 0-4 years after harvest, or 8+ years after harvest. Then you are less likely to drink a closed/muted wine.