Marked by straightforward blackberry fruit and a touch of vanilla, the 2019 Cote Rotie Chateau de Montlys is a medium to full-bodied effort that's just a touch simple. There's ample concentration, clean, competent winemaking, and a bright, refreshing finish.

Semaska's largest production C?te R?tie is the 2017 Cote Rotie Chateau de Montlys, which spends two years in 50% new oak. Vanilla, cedar and menthol notes dominate the plummy fruit at this stage, but the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated, creamy and lush. It's ripe, modern-styled and luscious within its idiom.

Moving to the reds from C?te R?tie, the 2015 C?te R?tie Chateau de Montlys is a big, rich, hard to read barrel sample that has tons of ripeness, lots of floral characteristics and a touch of elevated volatile acidity. There’s plenty of potential here, but judgment a touch reserved.

Fresh and lively, with an herbal edge to its cedar, dried flowers and mulled red and black fruits, the 2014 C?te R?tie Chateau de Montlys is medium-bodied, rounded and nicely textured on the palate. Possessing sweet tannin, juicy acidity and solid mid-palate depth and richness, it will drink well for 10-12 years.

The 2013 C?te R?tie Chateau de Montlys checks in as a blend of completely destemmed Syrah that spent 24 months in 50% new and 50% one- to five-year-old barrels. Playing in the vintage’s more medium-bodied, elegant and fresh style, it gives up plenty of spicy oak, raspberry, and black raspberry aromas and flavors in a balanced, pure and classy profile. It doesn’t have a massive back-end level of concentration, yet should still evolve nicely for a decade.