2019 Clusel-Roch Côte-Rôtie Les Schistes
Wonderful nose of fresh red cherries, red meat, pretty florals, some smokiness and blackcurrant on the tail end. Nice balance on the palate with good fruit concentration, lovely acidity and a nice finish on the same fruits as the nose, salinity and crushed rocks. Very clean with pure fruit and easy drinking even this young. I really liked this.
2019 Clos St. Antonin Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Tons of dark cherries, kirsch, understated pie spices and dried herbs (rosemary?). The palate is smooth, tanins are “enveloppés” and enough acidity to carry the fruit. But this is a tad hot, the alcohol is perceptible. And it feels a little monotone to me. It’s basically kirschy cherries from beginning to end. Others at the table liked this over the Clusel-Roch CR Les Schistes. I preferred the CR.