Gentaz-Dervieux

Côte Brune Cuvée Réservée Côte-Rôtie Syrah

9.414 ratings
9.610 pro ratings
Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

A couple years ago, I encountered my first bottle of Gentaz (1990) and I expected, quite justly, that it could very well be my only opportunity. I savored every moment of that bottle along with my brothers in wine. And now, here I am today, with most of the same homies, staring into the glass of the ‘85 and from the first smell, I was entranced. My eyes rolled back into my skull and I nearly fell back from the table. I dare say, this might be even more magical.

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1985 “Côte Brune” pours a deep, slightly dull garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of desiccated blackberries, prune, dried purple flowers, roasted meat, black olive brine, cumin, mushroom, ground coffee, Herbs de Provence, wet stones and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and sanguine. Out of this world. The kind of soul that James Brown would sing about having. Drink now, with some of your favorite people on earth, through 2045.

A couple years ago, I encountered my first bottle of Gentaz (1990) and I expected, quite justly, that it could very well be my only opportunity. I savored every moment of that bottle along with my brothers in wine. And now, here I am today, with most of the same homies, staring into the glass of the ‘85 and from the first smell, I was entranced. My eyes rolled back into my skull and I nearly fell back from the table. I dare say, this might be even more magical.

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1985 “Côte Brune” pours a deep, slightly dull garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of desiccated blackberries, prune, dried purple flowers, roasted meat, black olive brine, cumin, mushroom, ground coffee, Herbs de Provence, wet stones and rocky earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and sanguine. Out of this world. The kind of soul that James Brown would sing about having. Drink now, with some of your favorite people on earth, through 2045.

Aug 18th, 2026
Bryan Garcia

Sales Grand Cru Selections

10

Yes!

Yes!

1 person found it helpfulSep 11th, 2013
Austin Ferrari

Wine Director Hillside Supper Club

9.9

Gentaz is the fucking mayor, and his wines are like iron! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Gentaz is the fucking mayor, and his wines are like iron! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Aug 31st, 2016
Andrew Green

Wine Director/Partner The Village Pub & Spruce Restaurants

10

Wow! Amazing wine. Sublime. Will be interesting to see where this lands in the 2016 best of....so far #1

Wow! Amazing wine. Sublime. Will be interesting to see where this lands in the 2016 best of....so far #1

Jan 18th, 2016
Max Coane

Because, you know...birth year Gentaz

Because, you know...birth year Gentaz

Jan 14th, 2016
Jordan Salcito

Sommelier/Wine Director Momofuku, Vintner Bellus Wines

9.8

1985 vintage and gorgeous, floral and aromatic, gentle but profound.

1985 vintage and gorgeous, floral and aromatic, gentle but profound.

May 2nd, 2015
Richard Betts

Master Sommelier/Winemaker/Mezcalero Saint Glinglin, Sombra

10

Not sucking.

Not sucking.

Dec 12th, 2013
Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

6.4

Corked

Corked

Aug 2nd, 2013
Alvaro Bustillos

Coorked

Coorked

Sep 28th, 2025
Aravind A

I had high expectations for this bottle, which it didn't quite meet. Nice nose at first with some meaty syrah notes and loads of smoke and a touch of herbs. On the palate, great acidity, and loads of brine, together with some smokiness. Very tannic finish.With air, this lost any sense of fruit: smoky and peaty, with a dried out finish. This bottle was probably better 5 years ago...

I had high expectations for this bottle, which it didn't quite meet. Nice nose at first with some meaty syrah notes and loads of smoke and a touch of herbs. On the palate, great acidity, and loads of brine, together with some smokiness. Very tannic finish.With air, this lost any sense of fruit: smoky and peaty, with a dried out finish. This bottle was probably better 5 years ago...

Nov 18th, 2017