it needs another 5 years or so in the cellar

which allowed the Cabernet Franc to complete the final ripening phase in a uniform fashion

probably the best vintage produced so far

dark fruit with top notes of tobacco leaf

with dark spice and black tea leading the way

Gaillard, Cote Rotie Vintage:2016 it needs another 5 yearsBought en primeur from The Wine Society. Discreet nose, somewhat coy in a closed phase? There's faint black pepper and restrained black cherry. The palate is a bit meatier, with very soft tannins and moderate but refreshing acidity. Length is okay, although it isn't as expressive as the appellation should be, arguably. A church mouse style, and less memorable than when I tasted it en primeur. A few days later, however, the rest of the bottle was