François Merlin

Côte-Rôtie Syrah

8.911 ratings
9.06 pro ratings
Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Not as good as the 2018 which is weird as 19 is usually better than 18 in Cote Rotie. Let’s see what air does. Noseis funky, floral, spicey and a bit horsey. Hopefully it blows off. Very nice framing minerality but the horse is here and will gallop off into the distance soon. Paste is ripe and juicy with terrific power, depth and concentration. Big, ripe and sweet tannins. Super pure and super young. Engaging freshness and energy but the tannins are a bit aggressive and less focused than I’d like. 9.3 for now. Let’s see. It is opening up to be very elegant but also there is a sur maturite factor that’s not that great and the fruits is losing focus. HMMMMMMM???

Not as good as the 2018 which is weird as 19 is usually better than 18 in Cote Rotie. Let’s see what air does. Noseis funky, floral, spicey and a bit horsey. Hopefully it blows off. Very nice framing minerality but the horse is here and will gallop off into the distance soon. Paste is ripe and juicy with terrific power, depth and concentration. Big, ripe and sweet tannins. Super pure and super young. Engaging freshness and energy but the tannins are a bit aggressive and less focused than I’d like. 9.3 for now. Let’s see. It is opening up to be very elegant but also there is a sur maturite factor that’s not that great and the fruits is losing focus. HMMMMMMM???

Jul 19th, 2022
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

There has been a resurgence at this estate and this wine is why. Stunning nose of wild flowers, amazing clarity here. Superb meatiness. But also floral to the point of a kink. It’s exaggerated but you cannot resist. Superb. But under all the florals is a serious mineral/granite that is so refined and elegant. Wow, so elegant, juicy and refined but also a wild edge. Stephan vibes here. Minerals comes out as intense as florals now. This is a crazy wine. Super olive as well. Great concentration and power. Depth is great. Just awesome. A totally awesome wine. Wow.

There has been a resurgence at this estate and this wine is why. Stunning nose of wild flowers, amazing clarity here. Superb meatiness. But also floral to the point of a kink. It’s exaggerated but you cannot resist. Superb. But under all the florals is a serious mineral/granite that is so refined and elegant. Wow, so elegant, juicy and refined but also a wild edge. Stephan vibes here. Minerals comes out as intense as florals now. This is a crazy wine. Super olive as well. Great concentration and power. Depth is great. Just awesome. A totally awesome wine. Wow.

Jan 22nd, 2021
Brash Higgins

Wild little wine, oak notes, but cheese and onions, could be fun with some more air

Wild little wine, oak notes, but cheese and onions, could be fun with some more air

Aug 1st, 2017
Melissa M. Sutherland

Importer Winebow Wines

9.1

2010. Elegant, lean and clean. Not the faintest whiff of wood.

2010. Elegant, lean and clean. Not the faintest whiff of wood.

Feb 22nd, 2015
Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

7.9

2012. Elegant. Not shy with the oak. There is potential here but the winemaker is like a kid. Juicy and pure but needs time.

2012. Elegant. Not shy with the oak. There is potential here but the winemaker is like a kid. Juicy and pure but needs time.

Feb 23rd, 2014
Adam Baker

Drank with escargot in pastry shells appetizer, and sweetbreads with morels entree. Dark raspberry, violet, medium length finish. Dry good pairing.

Drank with escargot in pastry shells appetizer, and sweetbreads with morels entree. Dark raspberry, violet, medium length finish. Dry good pairing.

Mar 26th, 2024
Jay Eagan

Jay had this 5 years ago

Jay had this 5 years ago

Sep 28th, 2019
Simon Clinton

Simon had this 8 months ago

Simon had this 8 months ago

Apr 21st, 2024
PS Michaels

PS had this 4 years ago

PS had this 4 years ago

Feb 25th, 2021
Matthew B

Matthew had this 6 years ago

Matthew had this 6 years ago

Dec 21st, 2018