($136) Inky, saturated ruby. Pungent, spicy aromas of creme de mure, bay leaf, licorice and cracked pepper; more expressive than the Landonne. Round and silky on the palate, with surprising finesse for a wine with such volume. Finishes very long and sweet, with some sexy oak notes.

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The outrageously rich, full-bodied 2003 Cote Rotie Les Grandes Places boasts an inky/purple color as well as a rich, sumptuous nose of creosote, camphor, blackberries, minerals, acacia flowers, and pain grille. A wine of enormous richness, generosity, and complexity, it should age effortlessly for 15 or more years.

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Prior bottles have been extremely fine but this bottle was flawed with excessive VA - and I'm not someone who objects to a touch of VA. Not scored.