Slightly reductive at first, the 2006 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde is another classic example of this cuvee. Spice, toast, graphite, cured meats and sweet cherry and red berry fruit all give way to a rich, medium-bodied, nicely texture effort that still has notable tannin on the finish. I wouldn't test the tannin balance here with too much additional bottle age, but it should drink nicely for another 4-6 years with no problems.

This is rock-solid, with a tangy core of red currant and red licorice fruit framed by sandalwood, black tea and iron notes. There's nice grip on the olive-tinged finish. Drink now through 2015. 21,000 cases made.