From arguably the most famous lieu-dit in the southern portion of the appellation, the Duclaux brothers' 2018 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge is a showstopper. Scents of violets, stone fruit, anise-like spice and mixed berries combine to create a complex nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated yet supremely silky, smooth and charming, ending long and elegant. It's a superb example of the generally softer, more elegant style found around Tupin et Semons.

The flagship is the 2018 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge, which comes from the southern end of the appellation, where the soils are finer and lighter in color. This cuvee is all Syrah and was brought up in 40% new oak. The 2018 is a rich, powerful wine by this cuvee's standards and has a deeper ruby hue as well as a ripe, powerful nose of darker red and black fruits, bouquet garni, dried flowers, graphite, and lots of obvious minerality. Beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, and as seamless as they come, this is a classy, serious Cote Rotie that needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will evolve gracefully for 20 years or more.