Côte-Rôtie Les Grandes Places Philippe Verzier 2009

Lot presentation

Côte-Rôtie Les Grandes Places Philippe Verzier 2009

The wine

Threatened by extinction on numerous occasions (phylloxera, economic crisis, etc.), today the Côte-Rôtie wines are some of the most highly sought-after in France. Located here for almost 24 centuries, the Côte-Rôtie vineyard is ancient, with vines planted here by the Romans. With a total surface area of 235 hectares, the vineyard is located on steep terraced slopes with altitudes that vary from 150 to 300 metres. Because of the differences in altitude and elevation and the steepness of the slope, the use of mechanical equipment is impossible and so the vines here are entirely worked by hand.


There are two different areas: the Côte Brune, upstream from the Reynard and the Côte Blonde, located downstream. In the Middle Ages, legend has it that Lord Maugiron divided his estate between his two daughters, one of whom was a brunette, and the other a blonde, which is how the wines acquired their names. The Côte Blonde is characterised by light-coloured soils comprised of clayey sand with high silica content. The Côte Brune is characterised by iron traces in its soils, which contributes to creating its dark colour and the more masculine nature of its wines.


The entire area benefits from a micro-climate that is particularly well-suited to growing vines, mainly south-facing. The intensive heat waves it is subjected to are tempered by the northern Bise wind that sweeps in from Vienna.


With its deep red hue, Côte-Rôtie wine stands out with its incredible flavours of raspberry, blackcurrant and spices - with a dash of violet. After multiple years of ageing, these high-bred wines reveal notes of vanilla and kernels. Powerful, tannic and smooth, Côte-Rôtie wines are characterised by spectacular ageing potential.

Detailed characteristics