"Leading off the two Côte Rôties, the 2013 Côte Rôtie Eminence is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier that’s from the schist soils of the La Viallière lieu-dit and more granite soils of the Bassenon lieu-dit. These two terroirs are at opposite ends of the appellation, with La Viallière sitting in the northern sector (just below les Grandes Places) and the Bassenon all the way in the south, almost to Condrieu. Possessing a slight herbal character in its wild strawberry, raspberry, peppery and spice-laced bouquet, it’s fruity and forward on the palate with sweet tannin and a forward, enjoyable style that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 7-8 years.- Jeb Dunnuck"
- The Wine Advocate (Issue #222, December 2015), 88 pts
"Vivacious and peppery, this delicately framed Côte-Rôtie offers crisp black-cherry and berry flavors accented by savory truffle, leather and spice. Fine, rigid tannins and penetrating black-fruit flavors still need time to integrate. Hold till 2020. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
"(raised in demi-muids and barriques, 20 percent of them new) Brilliant ruby. Suave, mineral-accented dark berry, violet and incense scents show very good definition and pick up a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors and a touch of olive. Clings with strong tenacity on the finish, which is shaped by smooth, slow-building tannins. - Josh Raynolds"
"Lavender and violet perfume extends from nose to finish in this aromatic Syrah. Black-plum and cherry flavors are juicy yet spry, balanced by crisp acidity and tangs of crushed granite. Ripe, fine tannins accentuate its supple style. Lovely already it should gain complexity well through 2030 and hold further. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
"The 2015 Côte Rôtie Eminence from Niero is another brilliant 2015 that should be snatched up by readers. A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier sourced from the Valliere and Coteau de Bassenon lieux-dits, aged in 20% new oak, it has a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, dried flowers, incense, and cured meats. Medium to full-bodied and seamless on the palate, it has an elegant, pure, yet concentrated style that’s going to continue evolving gracefully for 15 years or more."