Always leading with its Viognier (there can be upwards of 10% in the blend), the 2014 C?te R?tie Fortis offers lots of floral nuances to go with more plum-style fruits, smoked meats and licorice. This medium-bodied, supple, sexy C?te R?tie has no hard edges, sweet tannin and a forward, already hard to resist profile. It should drink nicely right from the get go.

Sporting a healthy, deep purple color, the 2013 C?te R?tie Fortis is a terrific C?te R?tie that shows the sexier, more voluptuous and textured side to the vintage. Incorporating a big dash of Viognier, it offers loads of crème de cassis, black raspberry, violet,s and wild flower-like aromas and flavors to go with a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, textured and seamless style on the palate. It has real class and will drink well through 2028.

Just bottled a few weeks prior to this tasting, the 2012 Cote Rotie Fortis has a darker slant, with lots of black and blue fruits, rose petal, violets and mint. It is medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured and pure, with a sexy, voluptuous style that's hard to resist. The 2011 is showing slightly more character at present, but both are beautiful Cote Rotie to drink it their first 10-12 years of life.

Coming from Montez's 2.6 hectares in the southern part of Cote Rotie and incorporating 6-12% Viognier, the 2011 Cote Rotie Fortis is another gorgeous 2011 from this young vigneron. Kirsch, black raspberry, smoked duck, licorice and hints of soy all emerge from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, supple and sexy on the palate, with lots of fruit. It too should be consumed over the coming decade or so.

We finished the tasting with small vertical of Stephan’s C?te R?tie Fortis, which is distinctly different than the Les Grandes Places, coming from the estates 2.6 hectares in the southern part of the appellation, blended with upwards of 12% Viognier, and aged in slightly less new oak. Both the 2011 and 2012 were reviewed in Issue 216, and I’ve just included the 2010 and 2009 here. Looking first at the 2010, it’s an awesome wine that has a more rounded, voluptuous and textured feel than the more masculine, burly Les Grandes Places release. Cassis, violets, spring flowers and hints of bacon all soar from this full-bodied, sexy, beautifully balanced C?te R?tie. Incredibly pure, seamless and lengthy, enjoy it anytime over the coming decade or more.