Bernard Levet - Côte-Rôtie Les Journaries 2020 (750ml)

Vinous 96 points
"Saturated magenta. A wild, highly expressive bouquet evokes an array of black and blue fruits, pungent flowers, smoked meat, licorice and exotic spices, with a bright mineral overtone. Offers palate-coating, deeply concentrated cassis, cherry liqueur, smoky bacon, fruitcake and licorice flavors that turn livelier as the wine stretches out. The mineral and spice notes build steadily through a strikingly long finish that's framed by strong but velvety tannins that are quickly absorbed by the wine's dense, dark fruit."
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points
"The 2020 Côte Rôtie Les Journaries comes mostly from the Landonne lieu-dit (there’s a small part from Côte Rozier and Côte Blonde) and is not destemmed and is brought up in barrel. The estate looks for a touch more fruit and texture in this cuvée, and the 2020 will unquestionably be an outstanding wine. Rich, candied violets, crushed stone, espresso, and dark fruits all make an appearance, and it’s medium to full-bodied and structured. I’d be a buyer."   

Wine Advocate 94-96 points

"Again a prospective sample blended from several barrels, the 2020 Cote Rotie Les Journaries (labeled Maestria outside the United States) is a blend of fruit from La Landonne and Côte Brune. It's full-bodied, rich and tannic, even chewy, with plenty of concentration, yet it's also fresh and fruit-driven, with vibrant notes of purple raspberries and exotic spices. This should be terrific; it just needs a good 5+ years."