The 2010 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde reveals more green olive, raspberry and black cherry characteristics as well as higher acidity and a mid-weight style. Consume it over the next 10 years. (Not yet released)Director Guy Sarton de Joncquey continues to upgrade virtually every wine being produced at Vidal Fleury. Working from a sparkling new facility, this property is moving toward earlier bottling to preserve the wines’ freshness and fruit, and quality is clearly on the upswing, as evidenced by issue #197’s report on their extensive negociant business in the southern Rhone.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE

The outstanding 2009 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde possesses copious notes of sweet black olives, black cherries, new saddle leather, herbs and spice box in its evolved, sexy, medium to full-bodied, lush personality. Loaded with fruit, depth and purity, it should drink well for 10-15 years. Director Guy Sarton de Joncquey continues to upgrade virtually every wine being produced at Vidal Fleury. Working from a sparkling new facility, this property is moving toward earlier bottling to preserve the wines’ freshness and fruit, and quality is clearly on the upswing, as evidenced by issue #197’s report on their extensive negociant business in the southern Rhone.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE

The 2008 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde is slightly better than average. Tart and crisp with vegetative elements, it is a pleasant, simple wine to consume over the next 2-4 years. This well-known producer is clearly on the upswing in quality with their brand new winemaking facility in full operation since 2009. While Vidal Fleury has been owned by Marcel Guigal and his family for 26 years (the firm’s history dates back to 1781), the “coming out” vintage for this estate is undoubtedly 2009 ... consumers take note. The excellent value Southern Rhone selections from this negociant were all reviewed in issue #191. The 2008s I tasted were all competent wines, with the whites performing better than the reds (which is largely the case throughout the Northern Rhone for this challenging year). The top wines from Vidal Fleury have always been their Cote Rotie, especially their single vineyard offering from the lieu-dit called Chatillonne, located on the hillsides of the Cote Blonde.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE

The fully mature 2007 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde exhibits notes of herbs, black cherries, cassis, licorice and hints of lychee and earth. Approximately 8% Viognier is co-fermented in this cuvee. This well-known producer is clearly on the upswing in quality with their brand new winemaking facility in full operation since 2009. While Vidal Fleury has been owned by Marcel Guigal and his family for 26 years (the firm’s history dates back to 1781), the “coming out” vintage for this estate is undoubtedly 2009 ... consumers take note. The excellent value Southern Rhone selections from this negociant were all reviewed in issue #191. The 2008s I tasted were all competent wines, with the whites performing better than the reds (which is largely the case throughout the Northern Rhone for this challenging year). The top wines from Vidal Fleury have always been their Cote Rotie, especially their single vineyard offering from the lieu-dit called Chatillonne, located on the hillsides of the Cote Blonde.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE

The 2006 Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde offers up more tapenade, black cherry, cassis fruit, lychee nut, and bacon fat characteristics. I have a prediction to make for the next several years - look out for Vidal Fleury starting in 2008! With a brand new, state of the art winemaking facility, tucked beneath the Cote Rotie vineyards of the Cote Blonde, and a new management team, this famous estate, owned by the Guigal family, looks set to turn a page in a positive and dramatic fashion. All of these wines were made by the old regime, and I suspect things will change dramatically for the better in upcoming vintages.Importer: William Deutsch and Sons, White Plains, NY; tel. (914) 251-WINE