The 2009 Cote Rotie Classique exhibits sweeter, riper fruit as well as abundant raspberry and cherry notes intermixed with bacon fat and spice. This is 100% Syrah with no Viognier co-fermented. There is some tannin to shed, but the overall impression is one of flesh and intensity. Rene Rostaing’s elegant style is well-displayed in both 2010 and the riper, more fleshy, exuberant 2009 vintage. Always the sexiest wine in Rostaing’s cellar is the Cote Rotie Cote Blonde. It includes 3-4% co-fermented Viognier and is always the most seamless wine resembling haute couture.Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484