While this vineyard suffered immensely from frost in the spring of 2021, the 2020 Cote Rotie la Viaillere looks amazing. Marked by vibrant, intense notes of purple raspberries and violets, this is full-bodied, rich and velvety, with wonderfully fine tannins and a nearly never-ending finish. While La Viallière is not my favorite lieu-dit, this is truly special.

The 2016 Cote Rotie la Viaillere boasts delicate, almost dainty aromas of flowers, strengthened by stemmy notes and hints of olive and raspberry. It's medium to full-bodied, with a wiry, tannic strength that builds through the concentrated core of the wine and onto the long finish, yet it remains silky around the edges, suggesting reasonably early drinkability.

The 1997 Cote Rotie La Viaillere reveals a dark ruby color, plenty of pepper, herbs, and ripe black fruits in the nose, vanillin and toasty oak, and a medium-bodied, rich, layered finish. Rostaing told me 1997 will be the last vintage in which he will vineyard designate La Viaillere, as he prefers to blend it with his Cuvee Classique. Look for the 1997 to drink well when released next year, and evolve for 7-8 years thereafter. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

The 1996 Cote Rotie La Viaillere offers up a smoky, peppery, roasted herb, earthy, mineral/animal nose. While it is not for everybody, it is very Cote Rotie-like. In the mouth it continues to reveal more complexity in addition to a more muscular, tannic, attenuated finish. Medium-bodied, with noticeable acidity and plenty of minerals and earth, it should be at its finest between 2000-2008. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

The 1995 Cote Rotie La Viaillere possesses surprisingly noticeable acidity, a fresh, pure nose of blackberries, blueberries, and currants. Deeply colored, ripe, dense, medium to full-bodied, and tannic, this is a backward, tart, crisp style of Cote Rotie that will age for 15-20 years. Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel (510) 524-1524