Conrado Oak View Vineyards
Tokara
Director's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015
The 2015 Directors Reserve is 71% Cabernet, 15% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and aged 22 months in 50% new French oak.
Beautiful floral ripe dark fruit nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, vanilla, dark, rich soil, soft granite soils, toast, dry crushed rock, tobacco with red, dark and purple flowers.
The body is full, rich and lush. The tannins are round, meaty and tarry. The structure, length, tension are huge with nice balance. Floral, ripe dark fruit nose. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark chocolate, caramel, mocha, vanilla, dark, rich soil, soft granite soils, toast, dry crushed rock, tobacco with red, dark and purple flowers. The acidity is round and excellent. The finish is elegant, round, well balanced in fruit & earth with beautiful polish. 94 now with a potential for more.
Photos of; Tokara Cellar Door, artworks inside & outside and the view of their property from the top of their vineyards. — 6 years ago
Vineyard 29
Aida Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The 2015 was paired with “Braised Short Rib over Pomm Purée Dressed with Au Ju.”
Had to take speed notes on this one as we were running late to Outpost.
The nose shows beautiful ripe fruits of; dark cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, big plum, beautiful medium spice, beautiful baking spices, fresh violets and purple flowers.
The body is full and fresh. Tannins are soft and round. The structure & tension big. Well balanced. The acidity nice and round. The finish is beautiful elegant rich and even start to finish.
Photos of; Vineyard 29, the top view of their large oak vat fermenters, Estate Cabernet grapes and the patio view from Vineyard 29. — 7 years ago
Harlan Estate
The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
While this producer has nice fruit, a refined craft, they have an issue with alcohol burn in this bottling. While it’s 14.5% ABV, it’s showing hotter. You get an alcohol burn across your palate and in the back of the throat. They don’t mask or process their alcohol as well as a number of other even less revered producers. For the trained palate, alcohol burn will always be a critical flaw in wine.
It’s also still just approaching teenage years, even after roughly 13 years in bottle.
The nose reveals, alcohol vapors, ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries & boysenberries. Dark chocolate, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid with old lavender and dark withering flowers.
The body is full with big, round, tarry, sticky tannins. The structure, tension, length and balance are still developing but, good. This wine still needs another 6-8 years and perhaps plus in bottle. Ripe; dark currants, blackberries, baked black plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, boysenberries & creamy raspberries. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, mocha powder, loads of big baking spices; vanilla, clove, nutmeg. Anise, dark medium spice, malt, some dry herbaceous, saline, dry crushed rocks, underbrush, plenty of new oak, leathery, underbrush, black tea, hints of black olive, band aid (brett) with old lavender and dark withering flowers. The acidity is ok but certainly needed to be better. Part of the reason the alcohol shows as hot as it does. The finish is still big, rich, a touch astringent, powdery/dusty, balanced and last minutes. However, leaves my palate feeling incomplete.
Time will improve this wine but, believe the alcohol burn remains. I’ve had many less revered producers, for less money that delivered more pleasure.
Photos of, hilltop view of their vineyards, cellar with wood & stainless vats, dining/tasting room and the winery building. — 7 years ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
The 2000 is delicious but, it is evolving at a glacial pace. Out of magnum.
On the nose, touch of barnyard, glycerin, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, dark,,turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals.
The body is full, round & sexy. Dry softened, sweet tannins. ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, plum, strawberries & cherries. Vanilla, dry clay, limestone, river stones, just a touch of pyrazines & bandaid, fresh tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dry underbrush, dark, turned, moist earth, dry grass and dry & fresh dark florals. The acidity is magnificent. The structure, tension, length and balance are sensational. The finish is drop dead gorgeous. I’d still hold mine another 5 years as long as you have 3-4 bottles for more 5 year increments.
Photos of, their Estate vines, Clyde Beffa-Owner of K&L Wine Merchants, Owner of Chateau Lynch Bages - Jean-Michel Cazes, guests of the dinner and a sunset view from their Estate.
Producer notes and history...Lynch Bages takes its name from the local area where the Chateau is located in Bages. The vineyard of what was to become Lynch Bages was established and then expanded by the Dejean family who sold it in 1728 to Pierre Drouillard.
In 1749, Drouillard bequeathed the estate to his daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Lynch. This is how the estate came to belong to the Lynch family, where it remained for seventy-five years and received the name Lynch Bages. However, it was not always known under that name.
For a while the wines were sold under the name of Jurine Bages. In fact, when the estate was Classified in the 1855 Classification of the Medoc, the wines were selling under the name of Chateau Jurine Bages. That is because the property was owned at the time by a Swiss wine merchant, Sebastien Jurine.
In 1862, the property was sold to the Cayrou brothers who restored the estate’s name to Chateau Lynch family.
Around 1870, Lou Janou Cazes and his wife Angelique were living in Pauillac, close to Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron. It was here that Jean-Charles Cazes, the couple’s second son, was born in 1877.
In the 1930’s, Jean-Charles Cazes, who was already in charge of Les-Ormes-de-Pez in St. Estephe agreed to lease the vines of Lynch Bages. By that time, the Cazes family had history in Bordeaux dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century.
This agreement to take over Lynch Bages was good for both the owner and Jean Charles Cazes. Because, the vineyards had become dilapidated and were in need of expensive replanting, which was too expensive for the owner. However, for Cazes, this represented an opportunity, as he had the time, and the ability to manage Lynch Bages, but he lacked the funds to buy the vineyard.
Jean-Charles Cazes eventually purchased both properties on the eve of the Second World War. Lynch Bages and Les-Ormes-de-Pez have been run by the Cazes family ever since. In 1988, the Cazes family added to their holdings in Bordeaux when they purchased an estate in the Graves region, Chateau Villa Bel Air.
Around 1970, they increased their vineyards with the purchase of Haut-Bages Averous and Saussus. By the late 1990’s their holdings had expanded to nearly 100 hectares! Jean-Michel Cazes who had been employed as an engineer in Paris, joined the wine trade in 1973. In a short time, Jean Michel Cazes modernized everything at Lynch Bages.
He installed a new vat room, insulated the buildings, developing new technologies and equipment, built storage cellars, restored the loading areas and wine storehouses over the next fifteen years. During that time period, Jean Michel Cazes was the unofficial ambassador of not just the Left Bank, but all of Bordeaux. Jean Michel Cazes was one of the first Chateau owners to begin promoting their wine in China back in 1986.
Bages became the first wine sent into space, when a French astronaut carried a bottle of 1975 Lynch Bages with him on the joint American/French space flight!
Beginning in 1987, Jean-Michel Cazes joined the team at the insurance company AXA, who wanted to build an investment portfolio of quality vineyards in the Medoc, Pomerol, Sauternes, Portugal and Hungary.
Jean-Michel Cazes was named the director of the wine division and all the estates including of course, the neighboring, Second Growth, Chateau Pichon Baron.
June 1989 marked the inauguration of the new wine making facilities at Lynch Bages, which was on of their best vintages. 1989 also marked the debut of the Cordeillan- hotel and restaurant where Sofia and I had one of our best dinners ever. A few years after that, the Village de Bages with its shops was born.
The following year, in 1990, the estate began making white wine, Blanc de Lynch Bages. In 2001, the Cazes family company bought vineyards in the Rhone Valley in the Languedoc appellation, as well as in Australia and Portugal. They added to their holdings a few years later when they purchased a vineyard in Chateauneuf du Pape.
In 2006, Jean-Charles Cazes took over as the managing director of Chateau Lynch Bages. Jean-Michel Cazes continues to lead the wine and tourism division of the family’s activities. Due to their constant promotion in the Asian market, Chateau Lynch Bages remains one of the strongest brands in the Asian market, especially in China.
In 2017, Chateau Lynch Bages began a massive renovation and modernization, focusing on their wine making, and technical facilities. The project, headed by the noted architects Chien Chung Pei and Li Chung Pei, the sons of the famous architect that designed the glass pyramid for the Louvre in Paris as well as several other important buildings.
The project will be completed in 2019. This includes a new grape, reception center, gravity flow wine cellar and the vat rooms, which will house at least, 80 stainless steel vats in various sizes allowing for parcel by parcel vinification.
The new cellars will feature a glass roof, terraces with 360 degree views and completely modernized reception areas and offices. They are not seeing visitors until it’s completion.
In March, 2017, they purchased Chateau Haut Batailley from Françoise Des Brest Borie giving the Cazes family over 120 hectares of vines in Pauillac!
The 100 hectare vineyard of Lynch Bages is planted to 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The vineyard has a terroir of gravel, chalk and sand soils.
The vineyard can be divided into two main sections, with a large portion of the vines being planted close to the Chateau on the Bages plateau. At their peak, the vineyard reaches an elevation of 20 meters. The other section of the vineyard lies further north, with its key terroir placed on the Monferan plateau.
They also own vines in the far southwest of the appellation, next Chateau Pichon Lalande, on the St. Julien border, which can be used in the Grand Vin. The vineyard can be split into four main blocks, which can be further subdivided into 140 separate parcels.
The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
The vineyards are planted to a vine density of 9,000 vines per hectare. The average age of the vines is about 30 years old. But they have old vines, some of which are close to 90 years old.
Lynch Bages also six hectares of vine are reserved for the production of the white Bordeaux wine of Chateau Lynch Bages. Those vines are located to the west of the estate. They are planted to 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 32% Semillon and 15% Muscadelle. On average, those vines are about 20 years of age. Lynch Bages Blanc made its debut in 1990.
To produce the wine of Chateau Lynch Bages, vinification takes place 35 stainless steel vats that vary in size. Malolactic fermentation takes place in a combination of 30% French, oak barrels with the remainder taking place in tank.
The wine of Chateau Lynch Bages is aged in an average of 70% new, French oak barrels for between 12 and 15 months. Due to the appellation laws of Pauillac, the wine is sold as a generic AOC Bordeaux Blanc, because Pauillac does not allow for the plantings of white wine grapes.
For the vinification of their white, Bordeaux wine, Blanc de Lynch-Bages is vinified in a combination of 50% new, French oak barrels, 20% in one year old barrels and the remaining 30% is vinified in vats. The wine is aged on its lees for at least six months. The white wine is sold an AOC Bordeaux wine.
The annual production at Lynch Bages is close to 35,000 cases depending on the vintage.
The also make a 2nd wine, which was previously known as Chateau Chateau Haut Bages Averous. However, the estate changed its name to Echo de Lynch Bages beginning with the 2007 vintage. The estate recently added a third wine, Pauillac de Lynch-Bages.
— 7 years ago
Greenock Creek
Creek Block Shiraz 2005
Tonight is a continuation of a walk down wine region visit memory lane. However, this one is a do over bottle. You see, our April 17 visit was ill timed, we visited when they were sold out of all good vintages. We were poured a lot of very green vegetal wines...a fair amount of 11??? I am happy to say this bottle is a substantially better experience. However, still at least 5-8 years early on the 05 and will last another 15-20 years properly stored.
The nose reveals; plumy & somewhat jammy fruits, alcohol vapors, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruits, cooked rhubarb to pomegranate, anise/black licorice, mixed dark berry pie, steeped fruit teas, black pepper, dark spices, sandstone/limestone, dry crushed rocks, very dry herb presence, dark fruit jam, dry underbrush/stems, moist clay, cherry kirsch notes, dark fruit roll ups with fresh & withering; dark, red, blue, purple flowers framed in lavender & violets.
The mouthfeel is simply, ripe, jammy, rich & lush. The tannins are dark, chewy, tarry with adolescent teeth. The tension & structure have just started their beautiful integration but, have some years to go. The balance & length are closer to their top yet, will also benefit from a few more years in bottle. She is a ripe elegant beauty with alcohol & dark spice heat. Stewed plumy & somewhat jammy fruits, some alcohol heat but, not detracting, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruits, raspberries, cooked rhubarb to pomegranate, anise/black licorice, mixed dark berry pie, steeped fruit teas, black pepper, baking spices, fresh tobacco, used leather, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick with just the right amount of vanilla, salted caramel, sandstone/limestone, lightly grilled meats, dry crushed rocks, very dry herb presence, dark fruit jam, dark chocolate, sweet tarry notes, oak barrel char, dry underbrush/stems, dry top soil, moist clay, cherry kirsch notes, dark fruit roll ups with fresh & withering; dark, red, blue, purple flowers framed in lavender & violets. The acidity is near perfect. It is a fresh river stream on the palate. The long finish is; ripe, dark fruits, well balanced with dry earth tones, dark spice with heat, elegance, delicious and persists endlessly.
Photos of; their tasting room bar, old wood fruit basket press, entrance sign and a long view of the Estate and vines. — 6 years ago
Tokara
Chardonnay 2017
This is another South African Chardonnay that gives me a sense of Sonoma Chardonnay without being punished by oak. Green apple, lemon, lime, peach, some butter, saline, beautiful soft minerality and jasmine white flowers. Great acidity and well polished finished.
Photos of; a pano view of the property from the top of their hillside vines, another metal statue just outside their Cellar Door, Sofia under the white tree that reminds of the movie “The Return of the King” and part of their large tasting room. — 6 years ago
Flowers Vineyard & Winery
Sea View Ridge Block 19 Sonoma Coast Pinot Meunier 2011
Everyone could say it must be Burgundy! It’s a footprint of california-made wine that a faint oak vanillas. Cherry, cranberry, very elegant aromas and flavors. — 6 years ago
Promontory
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008
So, we arrived in Napa Friday morning and started at Promontory with a glass of 2006 Dom Perignon as they do not make a white, only one red wine. We also tasted the 2016 out of large Austrian oak vats. That wine shows great promise but won’t be available until 2021.
We then tasted their inaugural 2008 vintage and the 2009. Thirty-six hours later and five other excellent Napa wine producers visits later, I am still thinking about these wines.
This wines were so good, heady and absolutely stunning, it was painful not to spend an hour contemplating each of them. Instead, having to rush off to Vineyard 29 for our next appointment with my tasting glasses half full.
My notes below detailed as they may, will not do these wines justice and still underwhelm the experience. At times, I was at a loss for words to wholly convey the experience. It defied the allotted time and my verbal skills. These wines created an entire body experience. I am still thinking about my tasting experience and will likely still be thinking about it for weeks.
Beautiful dark currants & cassis framed in light oak with amazing florals. There’s a light smokiness, blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries, soft wood, beautifully layered light baking spices, very light spice, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, Provence herbs, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. Absolute stunning nose I didn’t want to stop experiencing the layers, the way it nuances crisscrossed in my head.
The body is light, weightless, yet full. Fine dusty tannins with some stickiness. It glides in layers & waves across the palate. What finely knitted structure, tension, amazing length with incredible balance. Both dark currants & cassis framed lightly in oak with amazing enticing florals. Light smokiness, ripe beautiful; blackberries, dark plum, dark cherries, lots of blue fruits, boysenberries, black raspberries, strawberries. soft saddle-wood to light presence of cedar. Beautifully layered light baking spices, asian spices, steeped tea, dark chocolate, mocha, light caramel, cedar, fresh tobacco, anise, Provence herbs, finely crushed rock dust, dark floral bouquet, violets, blue flowers and lavender. The acidity is brilliant like a gentle rain shower. The incredible finish is everything you look for in a wine and then some.
When I left, I wished I had another undistracted hour or more to enjoy and study each wine further.
Photos of, the view from Promontory over looking Harlan and Promontory vines, the fire we enjoyed on a cool morning to enjoy our 06 Dom Perignon, immaculate barrel room and new oak barrels and their oak & concrete vats. — 7 years ago
Woodstock
Pilot's View Shiraz 2015
Opened on 28th Sept 2018. Moroon brown. Heavy body. Heavy nose with deep wood and oak with a tinge of berries. Very mellow in scent. Not exciting but vintage nose. Acidic to palate with some sweet note. Heavy tannin. Long finishing. — 7 years ago
Bodega Catena Zapata
Catena Alta Historic Rows Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
On the nose; nice, soft, dark spice, black raspberries roasted coffee, dark, rich soils, dark currants, dark cherries, blue fruits, black plum, creamy black raspberries, cherries on the edge, black licorice, semi-sweet dry top soils, sweet tarry notes and blue and purple florals.
On the palate; the body is full and round. The tannins quite dry and still just a touch sticky. Riper/fresher fruits on the palate than the nose; dark currants, black raspberries, black, dark cherries, blue fruits, black plum, creamy black raspberries, cherries on the edge, black licorice, coffee, dark, rich soils, semi-sweet dry top soils, sweet tarry notes and blue and purple florals.
Photos of; the view from their front entrance, part of the lobby area, french oak barrel and their private tasting looking at it from inside their beautiful & spotless barrel room. — 7 years ago
Talley Vineyards
Rosemary's Vineyard Chardonnay 1998
Who in his right mind would open an 20-ish year old California Chardonnay with any sort of expectation of pleasure? I am not a fan of the oaky vanilla high alcohol style, and my view is that they generally do not improve with age. I have had some pretty well-known names (nameless for now) that have been downright disappointing at half the age of this one. But every rule has an exception, and this is one. Serendipity left it in the cellar until it was too old to risk with friends, except very good ones, and so it was up to Janet and me to try half of it last week with roasted cod, and the other half this week with salmon. Savory, good acid, no oxidation, the oak that might have been too forward in its youth now more balanced, this is a fine wine, meursault-like but for the fatiguing effect of 14.5% abv. By which I mean I wish I could have drunk the whole bottle the first night, but it was just too heavy.....on the plus side, it was still good with the salmon after a week in the fridge! — 8 years ago
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2018
Anthony took us to the tasting room in their Cellar to taste the Hamilton Russell line of wines.
Chardonnay are after Pinot’s in our tasting. This was one of my favorite Chardonnays out of all the ones we tasted.
Again, very Burgundian in style. Nice ripe, gentle fruit of citrus and tropicals. 13% ABV and mostly all neutral oak.
Photos of, the Hamilton Russell Vineyard, Anthony’s pouring our tasting, barrels around our tasting, and a long view of their property and house on the hilltop. — 6 years ago
Raats
Original Unwooded Chenin Blanc 2018
Raats was an interesting visit from all our others. Raats is considered a small producer in the 8th ranked wine producing country in the world.
Raats buys the majority of their fruit. The vines around their tasting room, they work but, do not own. They produce their wines at another producer’s facility. It’s a daunting expense starting a Cellar Door or Winery. Custom wine crush facilities are a trend not just in Napa but, other parts of the world as well. In this particular case, it saves the owner enough money to drive the very nice cars parked outside their tasting room, one a Ferrari.
This is their no wood/oak Chenin Blanc.
The nose shows; soft tones of wet wool, peach, white, lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, volcanic minerals & yellow flowers.
The body is round, full and beautiful. Soft wet wool, peach, white, green melon, a little sour lemon, dry green herbs, grapefruit, chalkiness, palate pressing medium intensity volcanic minerals & yellow flowers. Nice round acidity and a well balanced, polished finish.
Photos of; the view from their tasting room, lots of beautiful original artworks from famous local artists...a few of them the Uncle of our host, examples of some of the soil structures around their tasting room vines and their upstairs tasting room.
— 6 years ago
Bindi
Quartz Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2009
View over the mouth of the Maroochy River up to Coolum Beach on a beautiful day. From the back label - Bindi Quartz Chardonnay is sourced from the most elevated, Quartz riddled section of our Chardonnay vineyard planted in 1988. Absolutely singing at 10 years. The oak and the fruit have melded in perfect balance. Aromas of Cashew Nut and mineral with a little nectarine. More medium weight than the full flavoured Art Series Leeuwin style from Margaret River. — 6 years ago
Reyneke
Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018
The nose reveals; brighter fruits than the organic blend...more grassy notes although they are not heavy. It’s creamier. Oak notes from used barrels. Beautifully soft. Round, ripe, fruits; green apple, lime, lemon, grapefruit, white peach and ripe green melon. Light creamed buttery notes, chalk, gentle minerality, yellow lilies and spring flowers.
The body is light and flows gently on the palate until some white spice and minerality come on as it sets. Ripe, fruits; green apple, lime, lemon, grapefruit, white peach, ripe green melon, light creamed buttery notes, just a slight touch of green bean, thyme, white spice, powdery chalk, gentle minerality, yellow lilies and spring flowers. Amazing acidity with a delicate finish that is well balanced and persists sneakily for minutes.
Photos of; the entrance to Reyneke, blocks of letters that spell out their name on their tasting room mantle and the mountain view from their property.
— 6 years ago
By Farr
Tout Près Pinot Noir 2016
Hard to know which was the better - the view/ambience/restaurant or the wine. Let’s start with the former. Rick Shores, the restaurant is at Burleigh Heads on Queensland’s Gold Coast which used to be on the World Surfing Tour. I highly recommend this restaurant to my Northern Hemisphere Delectable friends if you are ever down under. Asian inspired and voted #2 restaurant in Queensland in 2018. Come at lunch time or 6.15pm in the evening as we did. The red duck curry was superb as was the Whole Snapper. The wine itself- Light to mid crimson in colour. Notes of forest floor and damp undergrowth with a touch of oak. Herbal notes. On the palate sweet and savoury with maraschino cherries and incredible length. Would love to see this in 5 plus years. A classy drop. — 7 years ago
Titus
Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Beautiful S.B. from Titus Vineyards - excellent your if you're in the area.. they just built a winery and tasting room finished 2 years ago with a drop dead, stunning view of the vineyards. 2017 is 97.9% Sauvignon Blanc, 2.1% Viognier, aged 5 months on 10% used French Oak. Crisp lemon curd, with subtle white peach notes, and white florals - creamy mouth feel, and a touch of vanilla to the finish. Lovely stuff. — 7 years ago
Philippe Leclerc
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Combe aux Moines Pinot Noir
Hotel terrace with a view.
Ready to drink. Good fruit with a bit of oak and spice. 2015s will not improve per Leclerc. They are ready to drink now. Age your 14s. — 7 years ago
Rene Rostaing
Ampodium Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2010
2010 was a very good vintage in Rhône. Rostaing is a well know producer with people that know and drink Northern Rhône wines, not so much with others that do not. The Ampodium is the entry level into Rene & Pierre Rostaing wines. It is a blend of 13 vineyards in Northern Rhône. They are simply one of the very best producers in the region. I spent an afternoon with Rene & his son Pierre tasting in the their cellar and in their La Landonne vineyard as shown in the photos. The 2010 is drinking beautifully with many good years ahead. On the nose; ripe & slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries, cherries, steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, iron pan, some white & black pepper, bacon fat, grilled savory meats, pork, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with violets. The body is round and medium full. The tannins round, still a little chewy & around 55% resolved. The length, texture, tension and balance are in near perfect harmony. The fruits are; round, ruby & ripe; slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries & cherries. Steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, chalky minerals, iron pan, coffee grounds, spice, some baking spices w/hints of vanilla, white & black pepper, drying blood, dry herbs/bay leaf, dry stems, moderate levels of bacon fat & pork, grilled savory meats, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with fresh violets for days. The acidly is round and dripping. The long finish is plush, velvety delicious and lasts & lasts. In good vintages, I would put this in blind with the best of of the best new world wines from any vintage that many love; SQN, Booker, Saxum, Alban, Cayuse, Horsepower etc.. I’d bet most of you would pick it over these producers that cost much more $$$. It’s simply one of the best pound for pound wines/producers for this varietal. Especially, for the $$$. Wow, what a wine for the $. $55 upon release. Photos of; Winemaker Pierre Rostaing and our group in their La Landonne vineyard, the small sign that barely identifies their Estate, an example of the Quartz mineral that runs throughout their La Landonne vineyard and the view back onto the river from the top of the very steep La Landonne Vineyard. Producer notes and history...Rene Rostaing produced their first wine in 1971. However, it took almost three decades before wine became a full time occupation for Rene Rostaing. Domaine Rene Rostaing came about through marriage. The wife of Rene Rostaing was the daughter of the famed Cote Rotie grower, Albert Dervieux, and the niece of Marius Gentaz-Dervieux who gave Christine the vineyard land that became the Northern Rhone estate for Rene Rostaing. Through inheritance from Albert Dervieux Thaize (his father-in-law) who retired in 1990, and from Marius Gentaz Dervieux, his uncle, Rene Rostaing expanded his holdings, giving him some of the best terroir in Cote Rotie. The new vineyard land was basically 3 small parcels in the La Landonne, Cote Brune and Vialliere lieux-dits. This initial expansion from his initial tiny parcel, allowed Rene Rostaing to change careers and become a full time vigneron. Since 2007, the estate has managed by Pierre Rostaing, (son) of Rene Rostaing. Currently Rene Rostaing owns 7.5 hectares of vines that is spread out among 20 different parcels located in 14 locations. Perhaps the most celebrated vines of Rene Rostaing are the 1.6 hectares of vines they own in the La Landonne vineyard (photo). On La Landonne, the vines are more than 60 years old. Some vines are even close to 100 years of age! Those are his largest holdings. The smallest vineyards of Rene Rostaing are located on Cote Blonde. Rene Rostaing also has vines planted in; Fonjean, La Vialliere, Le Plomb, Bouchare, Leyat, La Roche and La Tupin. Their oldest vines are more than 70 years old and are used for Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde. The majority of those plantings are on the steep hillsides with mica, schist and rocky soils. 25% of those vines are closer to the bottom of the slopes and on the flats. Rene Rostaing remains a traditional Cote Rotie producer who is not among the last to harvest. His wines are aged using very little new, French oak barrels. On average, Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie are aged in about 10% new French oak barrels. Rene Rostaing produces 4 different Cote Rotie wines. Rene Rostaing Ampodium, which was previously known as Rostaing Cuvee Classique, is a blend of 13 sections of different vineyards, but it does not include their best holdings on La Landonne or Cote Blonde. The fruit for Rene Rostaing Ampodium has at least 40% or more of the stems removed and run between 12-13.5% abv. The wine is usually made from 100% Syrah and is aged in an average of 15% to 25% new, French oak barrels. The amount of new oak can be less, depending on the character of the vintage. About 1,750 cases are produced each year. The wine is no longer called Cuvee Classique, the name was changed to Rene Rostaing Ampodium with the 2009 vintage. Rene Rostaing La Landonne comes from a terroir consisting of sands with iron oxide and traces of quartz. This wine is always produced from 100% Syrah. The grapes are partially destemmed, with about 10% to 20% of the stems removed, depending on the vintage. There are vintages when no destemming takes place. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats. Rene Rostaing is not a believer of using too much new oak for the aging, which on average uses 10% new, French oak barrels and the remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids (600 liter) and French oak barrels. This wine is like most wines from La Landonne, masculine and meaty in character, requiring at least a decade to soften and develop. On average, Rene Rostaing La Landonne produces less than 600 cases depending on what the vintage delivers. Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde is perhaps his best. It’s produced from a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The grapes are co-fermented. The vineyards is planted in the region call Arzel. Arzel is a poor, mineral laden soil with deposits of Silex and Mica on a steep hillside. The vines are more than 50 years of age. The grapes are partially destemmed…35% to 50% of the stems are removed. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats.
The remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids. This one is the hardest to find and most collectible of all their wines. In fact, they only produce close to an average of 350 cases of Cote Rotie in most vintages. Rene Rostaing Cote Brune made its debut with the 2013 vintage. The vines were once part of the holdings of Marius Gentaz, which eventually passed to Rene Rostaing. Rostaing replanted those vines in 2000. Made from 100% Syrah. — 7 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I bought this bottle about a year ago from K&L. The bottle was in pristine shape. Like the 1985 last weekend, the neck fill today was as high as the day they filled it.
I purchased two bottles. The first, I didn’t post. It had waned. Tonight’s bottle is giving me everything thing I expected when I purchased it.
The nose reveals a little barnyard (v/a) that blew off fairly quickly, slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, caramel & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice, peppery notes, tree bark/sap, mint, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets.
The body is just full, fresh & lush. There is still a decent, tarry, slightly chewy tannin structure even after a little over 22 years in bottle. For me, the length, tension and balance are perfect. This bottle has another 5 and perhaps 7 years of good drinking ahead. It’s really delicious tonight. Slightly baked, stewed & ripe fruits of; blackberries, black cherries, blackberries that pop on the palate, black plum, strawberries, dry cranberries, boysenberries & blueberries. Steeped, black tea, dark berry cola, sage, bay leaf, dry, crushed rocks, limestone, sandstone/dry top soil, anise, some black licorice, soft; cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, melted, salted caramel, dark baking chocolate & liquid mocha, vanilla, dry twigs, understated, mid dark spice with perfect palate heat, tree bark/sap, mint, savory meats, peppercorns, rich, dark, slightly sweet earth, dry tobacco & leather, French oak barrel shavings, with bright, fresh & withering; dark, red, some purple & blue flowers weaved into late blooming violets. The acidity is round, phat & perfect. The long finish is delicious, an elegant lady, well balanced settling into some of the nicest, dark spices I can remember in sometime.
In terms of pleasure, I would give this wine a 94 but, in technical terms, just misses it.
Once again, I really love the 13% ABV. I wish Napa Cabernets had never risen above that level.
Photos of; the Estate of Flora Springs, long view of their beautiful barrel cellar, happy dog running through their vines and their very modern tasting room on Hwy 29. — 5 years ago