Vidal Fleury Cote Rotie Brune Blonde 2003

Brilliant, dark red in color. Intense on the nose with violet, spice and berry. Rich, soft but intense on the palate, with layers of red fruit, black currant and spice. Terroir: Sourced from two of the most revered parcels of the entire Rhône Valley. Steep, terraced vineyards rise high above the Rhône River. Côte Blonde owes its name to the light soils of gneiss and silica gravel with clay, while the Côte Brune to the north contains darker soil of mica, schist, iron and a higher proportion of clay. About the Brand: Vidal Fleury was founded in 1781 as a wine grower and proprietor of vineyards in the renowned Côte-Rôtie appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley. With more than two centuries of continuous operation, it is undisputedly the oldest functioning winery and wine firm in the Rhone Valley. Thomas Jefferson even visited in 1787, calling the wines “justly celebrated.” Today they continue these traditions and true to the founder's goals. the winery continues to produce wines that are the finest expression of their appellation. They now produce red, white, and rosé wines from throughout the Rhône Valley. Critical Acclaim: 2016: 92 points Vinous "Dark violet. A highly perfumed, complex bouquet evokes dark fruit preserves, smoky minerals and pungent flowers, along with olive and licorice accents. Stains the palate with sappy, spice-tinged black and blue fruit flavors given lift by a spine of zesty acidity. Clings with strong tenacity on the sweet, floral-accented finish, which is shaped by velvety, slow-building tannins." Josh Raynolds, Vinous