This Cote-Rotie is pristine, elegant and almost untouched. So much purity and precision. The nose reveals notes of forest berries, wild herbs, cured meat and warm spices. It's medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity. Plenty of wild strawberries and violets on the palate. 100% from old vines planted before 1950, delivering all their dark cherry essence and purity of fruit with a floral flair, bringing elegance and freshness. Minerally and well driven with a focused, long and lively finish. Drink or hold.

This shows good density and power, but freshness, too, with a saline streak of acidity racing through crunchy red currant. White pepper adds the freshness of the vintage and plays off some warm nutmeg and baking spice notes. Give the tightly coiled core time to unwind and integrate with the gentle sweet oak details. Drink now through 2042. - KB

(92+ points) The 2021 Côte Rôtie Maison Rouge is lively and fresh yet still brings good concentration and depth. Ripe blackberries, game, violets, damp flowers, and subtle spicy notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with beautiful purity, fine tannins, and outstanding length. More focused, linear, and vibrant compared to the bigger 2020, it's nevertheless a gorgeous Côte Rôtie to drink over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2025-2040.

Although not at the same heights as the preceding vintages, the 2021 Côte-Rôtie Maison Rouge still shines. Delicate black cherry, cedar and a touch of violet rise from the glass. Leafy subtleties add aromatic complexity and freshness. Round and elegant, the moderately concentrated 2021 checks out with plenty of energy on the uplifting finish. -- Nicolas Greinacher