Starts slowly, but builds quickly. Red cherry turns to black cherry, with iron, white pepper, mineral and olive flavors filling out the background. The finish is long and fine-grained. Drink now through 2015. 500 cases made.

The plush, elegant, exotic 2004 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde, which is the only wine that has 3-4% Viognier in the blend, boasts sweet litchi nut, honeysuckle, raspberry, and smoky cherry notes with some tapenade and spice. It is medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a layered mouthfeel. Anticipated maturity: now-2014.