Elegant vertical of Rhône wines, Vidal-Fleury

The oldest family run wine estate in Rhôn, since 1781. Buys grapes from same vignerons in the Southern Rhône every year, owns vineyards but also buys in the northern. Northern Rhône produces only five percent of the volume. Owned by Guigal since 1976 since no family members wanted to continue.

2010 Vidal-Fleury Côtes du Rhône:

Deep ruby, pink rim. Plums, ripe, slightly scented and blackberries. Freshish acidity, ripe tannins, sweet but balanced, quite elegant. 82

2009 Vidal-Fleury Crozes-Hermitage:

Deep ruby. Scented, blueberries, layered and slightly peppery. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, fruit driven and refreshing. Minerals. Good length. 86

2010 Vidal-Fleury Châteauneuf du Pape:

Deep ruby. Scented nose, fresh plums, blackberries and ever so slightly floral. Fresh acidity, quite high even, ripe tannins, somewhat herbal, a bit sweet finish, but balanced. Good length. 86

2006 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde:

Ruby, garnet rim. Licorice, minerals, prunes and scented notes. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, elegant body and texture, somewhat sweet overtone more from fruit than alcohol. Graphite. Good length. Opens up with air. Nuanced. 89

2005 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde:

Deep ruby. Thin garnet rim. Tight nose, massive, scented, vanilla, plums, blackberries, graphite, very dense. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, luckilly less massive palate, somewhat sweet and ripe, a bit short, longer with air. 89

1999 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Brune et Blonde:

Deep ruby, garnet rim. Plums, prunes, some figs and licorice. Minerals, lovely nose. Fresh acidity, quite high of ripe tannin. Some sweet plums and minerals on the palate, somewhat earthy minerals, licorice. Opens up with air. 88

2005 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde La Chatillonne:

Deep ruby. Animal notes, peppery, blackberries, scented and somewhat herbal.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, sweet and rich, yet not that big. Quite refreshing, a bit sweet finish. 90

2004 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde La Chatillonne:

Ruby. Peppery, some hung meat, starting prunes, plums, minerals and scented.  Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, leaner style, quite elegant, refreshing and balanced.  Long. 90+

1995 Vidal-Fleury Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde La Chatillonne:

Deep ruby, garnet rim. Pepper, licorice, some blueberries and some minerals. Fresh acidity, ripe tannins, refreshing, maturing nicely, long peppery finish. 91

2009 Vidal-Fleury Muscat de Beaumes de Venise:

Watery lemon yellow. Sweet grapey nose. Freshish acidity, somewhat 'heavy' for it's style and I would like it lighter. Not that long. 82

Finally a tasting of not one, but many wines from the Rhône were extraction and alcohol isn't up front and overshadowing. Nuanced and elegant wines.