Gaillard Cote-Rotie 2009

Each time I meet M. Gaillard I come away more in awe. I’m not sure it is his dynamic calm I find expressed in the wines or the other way around. Confidence is supremely sexy and his wines have it. The Cote Rotie is lovely, a richly textured brocade of fragrances. I challenge other Cote Rotie to measure up; usually it is Syrah, Syrah and then Syrah in the nose of Cote Rotie. Here you find coffee, espresso really, with bitter chocolate or even a dark chocolate truffle with red raspberry and framboise eau de vie center where the alcohol of the eau de vie gushes the aroma to your retronasals. Harmonious and engaging. You’ll want to savour this glass of wine for a long while. Alcohol 14.5%. Note by LAC. January 16, 2012.

Food Pairings

Winged beasties with dark meat like duck, goose, squab, and griffins. Hooved game. Roasted meats.