Stephen Heyman

10

a berry special gamay, haunting, rich, limpid and beautifully balanced — 25 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This was a real treat after the Gentaz-Dervieux since Rene Rostaing is Marius Gentaz’s son-in-law. While the vineyards that belonged to Marius are now famously part of the Rostaing domaine, that vineyard goes to Rene’s Côte Brune; this is his Côte Blonde and arguably his most famous bottling. This 2004 pours a cloudy ruby with brambles, purple flowers, blood, dust and leather. Slightly rustic which is what I want from Rostaing. I love the individuality and how it paired with the Iberico pork cheek, mushroom ragu with lavender and thyme. Plenty of life left. Drink through 2034+. — 2 months ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

9.0

A Northern Rhône take on a Southern Rhône blend - less stewed fruit, more floral and herbal and nuance. Lovely. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.1

The 2021 Côte-Rôtie Ampodium used 90% whole-clusters during fermentation. This winemaking technique becomes visible in the aromatic profile through a marked stemminess, complemented by bright red fruits, cedar and floral shadings. Medium-bodied and framed by low levels of soft tannins, the 2021 is a polished and refreshing Ampodium that concludes with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, March 2024)
— 2 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.4

1992 | Syrah
Rhone; Côte-Rôtie, France — 5 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is my belief & I don’t think I am far from the mark that Alban profiled their wines from Rostaing. Rostaing started in 1971 & Alban in 1985.

Both have the roasted slope & roasted chestnut profile. The Alban is a better single terroir than the old world 7-8 vineyard blend of the Rostaing Ampodium. It’s riper & beefier. The fruits are roasted & ripe. The length, balance, tension & length are near its peak.

The nose reveals; roasted chestnuts, stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender.

The palate is; gorgeous, sexy, rich, lush & in perfect form. Roasted chestnuts. Stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark heated spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender. In perfect form. Tannins are rounded, sweetly tarry. The acidity is perfect. The finish is very round & new world. It is a perfect balance of fruit & earth. It glides on the palate & persists endlessly.

Paired with the Cardiff Chipotle Tri-tip. The best Tri-tip we’ve had. You can order at CardiffCrack.com. Not inexpensive though. The best never is!

Photos of; John Alban, two of their single vineyards and their barrel room. — 4 years ago

with James and Christina

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.2

The 2021 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne offers a red-fruited profile paired with pencil shavings, meaty undertones and a marked herbaceous streak. Framed by firm tannins and balanced by refreshing acidity, the 2021 hits the palate with juicy red fruits and great intensity. Still, it can’t compete with the more generous and complex 2022. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, March 2024)
— 2 months ago

Lars Ivar Flydal

9.1

Good Syrah based blend made by Cornas master Rostaing — 2 months ago

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.0

50% Grenache blanc, 35% Rolle (vermentino), 15% viognier and no oak! A masterpiece of fruits and personality. — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. So what follows, a 91 La Turque served blind of course. Dark tawny and opaque. Notes of black cherries, coffee, iron, mocha, blood sausage. Very masculine and powerful in the mouth. Huge wine. Guessed 1999 Rostaing Cote Blonde Cote-Rotie. — 4 years ago