“Stunning” 2018 Côte Rôtie: Christophe Billon
It is a thrill to have found an estate like Domaine Christophe Billon in Côte Rôtie. Amid so many larger négociants, this family-run, small-batch, talented estate — with exceptional wines of character that are quite affordable when compared to the competition — is a real discovery in this historic appellation.
The family’s 2018 wines have just arrived — here are Jeb Dunnuck’s reviews for a vintage that he calls “another stunning year for Côte Rôtie.”
“Compared to the 2017s, the 2018s show another level of freshness and purity … open, opulent profiles with polished tannins and rounded, seamless textures. Nevertheless, I think the 2018s are richer and more concentrated than both 2016 and 2017, and while they show similarities to the 2015s, they have slightly more open, accessible profiles with softer tannins.”
2018 Christophe Billon Côte Rôtie ‘Côte Rozier’
Made from 100% Syrah and from a terrific terroir in the northern part of the appellation, the 2018 Côte Rôtie Côte Rozier will spend a full 26 months in 50% new French oak. It offers a more complex, nuanced vibe, with lots of black raspberries, spice, new leather, and dried flower aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, with a great mid-palate, integrated oak, and a seamless texture, it’s another brilliant wine from this estate. – Jeb Dunnuck
2018 Christophe Billon Côte Rôtie ‘La Brocarde’
Also with 3% Viognier, the 2018 Côte Rôtie La Brocarde comes from the La Brocarde lieu-dit, which is located in the northern Côte Brune side of the appellation. Its deep purple hue gives way to a rocking Côte Rôtie that has tons of deep blue and black fruits, graphite, crushed rocks, and charred meat-like aromas and flavors. Rich, powerful, and concentrated, it’s a bruiser of a Côte Rôtie with fine tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It’s going to require 4-5 years of bottle age to shed some baby fat, but it’s a beauty. – Jeb Dunnuck
2018 Christophe Billon Côte Rôtie ‘Les Elotins’
Including 3% Viognier, Billon’s 2018 Côte Rôtie Les Elotins is the entry level cuvée of the estate and offers a meaty, black-fruited style that carries medium to full-bodied richness, plenty of tannins, and notes of chocolate, crushed rocks, ground herbs, and pepper. Give bottles 2-3 years of bottle age. – Jeb Dunnuck
