2018 René Rostaing Pre-Arrival Offer

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Cote Rotie was an insiders wine [in the 1980's], astonishing all who discovered it with its magical soft-fruity finesse, southern in warmth but closer to a great red Burgundy in the way firm tannins supported delicate flavours... It long maintained its almost secret niche as one of France's greatest wines. - Hugh Johnson & Jancis Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine

AN INTRODUCTION

Approximately an hour north of the hill of Hermitage in France’s Rhone Valley lies the small area of Côte Rôtie; an area devoted to ultra high-quality Syrah (with the occasional splash of Viognier). One of Côte Rôties finest practitioners is Rene Rostaing, now assisted by his son Pierre. A grower since 1971, Rene's first vineyard purchases were a microscopic half acre each in Côte Blonde and in La Landonne in the Côte Brune. Today, Rostaing boasts 20+ acres of the finest vineyards in and around Côte Rôtie. Stylistically, Rostaing produces the quintessential Côte Rôtie which is a wine both of elegance and power. Rostaing strongly detests over-ripness (by picking too late) and use of too much new oak which he feels obscures the delicacy and terroir of Côte Rôtie. He has a traditional focus but utilises some modern technology to achieve Côte Rôtie of the most stunning purity and balance. Rene Rostaing is certainly one of Côte Rôtie’s finest producers, and we highly recommend these great wines for your cellar.

THE WINES

2018 Rene Rostaing Côte Rôtie 'Ampodium' - $163 per bottle ; RRP $185

"Mostly blended but still in barrel, the 2018 Cote Rotie Ampodium is a terrific introduction to the Côte Rôties of Rostaing. Mulberries and licorice appear on the nose, followed by savory notes of espresso and black olives on the medium to full-bodied palate. It's silky, fine and complex, with a long, softly dusty finish. I also tasted a richer, more structured lot from la Viallière that will be blended in, along with a terrific-looking barrel from Leyat that will add floral, raspberry and mocha notes.” Score: (92-94), Drink 2020-2030, Joe Czerwinski, Dec 2019, The Wine Advocate

2018 Rene Rostaing Côte Rôtie 'La Landonne' - $335 per bottle ; RRP $380 - $680 per MAGNUM ; RRP $780

"Ripe, smoke-tinged dark berries and pungent floral scents are brightened by building mineral and spice flourishes. Spicy and impressively concentrated on the palate, offering energetic blackberry and violet pastille flavors, along with exotic spice and cracked pepper nuances. Fleshes out with air while maintaining vivacity, and finishes extremely long and chewy, displaying excellent clarity, steadily mounting tannins and suave florality.” Score: (95-96), Josh Raynolds, May 2020, Vinous

2018 Rene Rostaing Côte Rôtie 'Cote Blonde' - $350 per bottle ; RRP $400 - $710 per MAGNUM ; RRP $810

"Sexy, mineral-laced black raspberry, cherry compote and floral pastille aromas are complemented by exotic spice and olive flourishes. Sappy and precise on the palate, offering vibrant red and dark berry and candied violet flavors underscored by a seam of smoky minerality. Fine-grained, even tannins sneak in very slowly and meld seamlessly on the strikingly long finish, which leaves behind vibrant spice, red fruit liqueur and mineral notes." Score: (96-97), Josh Raynolds, May 2020, Vinous

2016 Rene Rostaing Côte Rôtie 'Cote Brune' - $590 per bottle (extremely limited - max 2 bottles per customer)