"Coming from the La Viallière and Coteau de Basenon lieux-dits, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Vires De Serine checks in as 100% Syrah that was brought up in new French oak. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a young, unevolved wine offering lots of black raspberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with notes of roasted meats, chocolate, spice box, and spring flowers. Despite not including any Viognier, it's an incredibly floral, perfumed, and exotic Côte Rôtie with gorgeous fruit, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. There's a kiss of background oak, but it has a wealth of fruit and texture, fabulous balance, and holds onto a pure, balanced Côte Rôtie style. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Northern Rhône: The 2018s and 2019s, November 2020), 97 pts
"Much more concentrated and layered, yet also more modern in style is the 2013 Côte Rôtie Vires de Serine is 100% Syrah; it comes from La Viallière and Bassenon lieux-dits, and was completely destemmed and aged two years in 100% new French oak. Cassis, black raspberry, licorice, smoked meats and a kiss of graphite all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered, modern styled Côte Rôtie. It’s certainly enjoyable now, but I suspect the oak will start to fade with another two to three years of bottle age and it should still be drinking nicely at age 15 or older.- Jeb Dunnuck"
"Inky ruby. Potent smoke- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berries, cherry liqueur and pungent flowers pick up a hint of peppery spices as the wine opens up. Spicy and taut on entry, then deeper and broader in the midpalate, offering concentrated blackberry, cola and violet pastille flavors that are given lift and cut by a core of juicy acidity. Finishes minerally and very long, displaying well-knit tannins and a resonating floral note. - Josh Raynolds
"Full, rich, oaky style, yet the sheer quality of the fruit shines through and the battle between intense fruit, oak spice and tannins will have a favourable outcome."
"A blend of the best Syrah from the domaine's holdings in La Viallière and Bassenon, the 2018 Cote Rotie Vires de Serine spent two years in new oak, leaving it with a gentle cedar veneer. Under that layer lie greater depths of vanilla and mocha backed by ripe black cherries and plums. Rich and velvety, this full-bodied effort is exceptional, if admittedly in a modern, fruit-and-oak-driven style. Already dangerously drinkable, it should age well for at least a decade on the strength of its concentration.