Cote Rotie Lancement Stephane Ogier 2015 (750ML)

98 Points, Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "My top pick among Ogier's 2015s is his 2015 Cote Rotie Lancement. It shows wonderful smoky, herbal and bacony complexity on the nose, then follows that up with a concentrated, medium to full-bodied wine that stays light on its feet through a nearly endless finish. A really spectacular effort, worth the search." 12/17

97 Points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator: "Fresh and pure, with a beautiful stream of red currant, loganberry and damson plum fruit spilling forth, pierced by a bright iron note. Flecks of savory, bay leaf, bergamot and juniper fill in throughout. The finish is silky yet mouthwatering. Best from 2023 through 2040. 10 cases imported." 02/20

100 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com: "The finest vintage of this cuvée to date, there's a scant four barrels of the 2015 Côte Rôtie Lancement, which comes from a site high up on the slope in the Côte Blonde end of the appellation. Completely destemmed and brought up all in new oak, it has the classic perfume this cuvée always shows yet is inky colored, deep, incredibly concentrated, and long. Exotic flowers, black cherries, hints of cassis, olive tapenade and peppery, gamey notes all soar from this full-bodied, seamless, straight up awesome Côte Rôtie that reminds me of what the 1978 Guigal La Mouline must have tasted like on release. With sweet, sweet tannin, no hard edges, and a grand, majestic personality, drink it anytime over the coming 20-25 years." 01/18