Rene Rostaing, Cote Rotie, Cuvee Classique 2001

1.0cm or better

93 Points CellarTracker

Blind. Mid ruby to full smokey garnet. Nose quite subtle initially, though suggests N Rhône. Very smooth and mellow, tannins fully resolved, mid red fruit, a good line with lovely bright but balanced acidity. Mid 2000s? Initially the nose relatively mute and so wonder about St Joseph rather than Cote Rotie, but then the aromatics open up to a lovely violet top-note. Densely silky, very smooth and moreish. Just lovely. **** 2/12/2018

Not counting the much larger Guigal domaine, Rene Rostaing is the closest thing to a true cult star that Côte-Rôtie has yet produced. A grower since 1971, his first vineyard purchases were a microscopic half acre each in Côte Blonde and in La Landonne on the Côte Brune. The real breakthrough came when his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux-Thaize retired in 1990, followed by his uncle Marius Gentaz-Dervieux three years later. Between these two legendary growers, Rostaing acquired over ten acres of very old vines in some of the appellation’s top sites. The vineyard expansion also enabled René to quit his day job in 1991, and to devote himself full time to winemaking.

Today, Rostaing can boast 20+ acres of the finest vineyards in and around Côte-Rôtie. The wealth of vineyard holdings results in an astonishing array of wines. From several parcels of old vines that immediately adjoin Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu, Rostaing produces a gorgeous non-appellation white and red called Les Lezardes. In Condrieu, he holds a tiny parcel in La Bonnette that yields some of the region’s most refined Viognier. Most of his Côte-Rôtie parcels are blended to produce the Cuvée Classique, a terrific expression of the appellation. And, of course, there are his two prized Côte-Rôtie special cuvées, La Landonne and Côte Blonde.

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