Anna Sangiacomo

9.4

This Steep hillside vineyard is planted 2 miles from the cool Pacific Ocean. Aromas of wild raspberry & rose petals. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

Lemon yellow with aromas of lemon, grapefruit peel, white peach, acacia, and almond. Full bodied a creamy texture and ripe fruit which is balanced by good acidity and minerality. Sourced from vineyard with steep, rocky slopes from 1,200 to 1,700 feet elevation. Barrel fermented with native yeast then aged on the lees in French oak for 11 months with weekly bâtonnage. 14.8% ABV. $95. — 7 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.1

Not sure. I think Lato's juice is a bit steep. Definitely not in the value side of things here but still delivers pretty good flavors — 8 years ago

Martin Mills

9.2

It's fair to say I underestimated this wine, despite the relatively steep price tag, opening it on a nondescript Wednesday evening. Darker in colour than the typical Otago, on the nose it gives up ripe red and black fruit, lots of sweetness and a lovely subtle hint of oak and some salinity/minerality in keeping with the region - one of those wines you could sniff away at all night. The palate is poised and mid weight with silky tannins and lashings of complex fruit flavours - rhubarb, black cherry, moving into more earthy and mushroomy notes. Long finish that is both intense and fresh at the same time. Very impressed with the integrated and harmonious character of this wine — 8 years ago

Sarah Minnick

10

Not hard to guess after drinking this that the Rossi di Dolceacqua grapes are organically grown in the steep saline hills of Liguria. It s delicate & lady like with a simple complexity. The open nose reveals a high finish of Craisins™ backed up by rose hips & petals. — 8 years ago

Dave Hunt

9.6

My go- to Riesling for the past 3 years — 8 years ago

Sebastian Koncurat

9.3

A real unique redvwine sourced from old vines of Fer Servadou in steep terraced vineyards in Marcillac , a hidden gem and different example of the potential of SW France wines — 9 years ago

Nathaniel DiMaggio

8.9

This guy is the master. Price is a bit steep but it's a great drink! — 9 years ago

with Stacey, Maxwell and 2 others

Josh Nadel

Vinter Gothic Wine; Wine Director Locanda Verde, The Dutch NYC, The Dutch Miami, Lafayette, The Public Theatre of New York

10

Ripeness with Acid
Integrated with some Age
Steep, stony vineyard — 10 years ago

with Chad

Neil Schlecht

9.3

Surprising, exotic. A mix of Pedro Ximenez and Muscat from the steep shist of Priorat probably not what comes to mind when you think of Spanish whites. Good stuff. 2011 vintage. — 10 years ago

Tim Hong

9.4

2012 Spatlese Trocken. 1900 was the year these ungrafted vines were planted on a slope so steep it was nicknamed "hell". — 11 years ago

with Ian

Jaime kowan

9.5

Love this stuff...fresh burst of acidity with the. Aromatics of pear, peach and honey.... Graham crackers... No I haven't gone crackers . This Godello is growing at 600 to 650 meters on really steep slopes, eastern side. Rocky quartz soils with loads of red clay a spectacular place that takes quite a while to get to by way of a windy steep narrow road. It really makes you appreciate it — 12 years ago

Rick Baraff

9.1

Nice, nice. Thought it might be a muddling, middling venture at such a steep price at a nice restaurant, but after being a tad fruity on opening, turns out really solid, balanced nicely minerally dinner pairing with some character. Enjoyable. — 6 years ago

Jake Hajer

8.9

Beautiful and unique SB. Super low yield vines. Spends 2yr in oak. All that the Cali style of SB can be. Hazy. Macerated Brown summer grass. Tamarind. 90$ for an SB seems pretty steep. — 7 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.5

Marco Abella's top Priorat wine actually leads with Cariñena before Garnatxa, with David Marco asserting that Cariñena is the more powerful and more mineral of the two grapes. Rocky, craggy and saline, the wine's savory edges mimic the steep terraced slopes from which these wines are born. The 2012 Clos Abella finds a concentrated pillar of kalamata, prune, rosemary, smoke, and other flavors evocative of the Mediterranean coast. Stoic and lengthy, the wine has many stories yet to unfold. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose, baked & slightly liqueured fruits of; lots of blue fruits, plum, black raspberries, raspberries, underbrush, saline, violets, and dry brown top soil. On the palate, concentrated blue fruits of; boysenberries, blueberries, olallieberries. Stewed plums, black raspberries & raspberries. They are in a liqueured syrupy state. The tannins are silty. Wild berry cola/licorice, underbrush, touch of vanilla & caramel, loamy dry soils, steep fruit tea, dry stones, liquid violets & the acidity pours over the palate. The rich, thick, fruity finish doesn't stop. It's drinking very nicely but likely peaked a year ago. However, still a nice example of how well his wines age. Photo tour of our April visit to Noon Winery. Winery, estate vines, open top fermenter and Drew Noon pouring our tasting. He is a very down to earth/salt of the earth guy. Thanks again for all the time you gave to us. @ Gary Danko with Filet and chocolate soufflé. — 8 years ago

Aaron Means

9.2

I like the traditional Monte bello better — 8 years ago

Elsie W

Alcoholic Beverages General Sales Manager, Safeway

9.4

Uniquely positioned vineyard...very steep and terroir is mineralized rocks. The result is unbelievable wine! — 9 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.2

Elegant and polished but still soulful. Black cherries, wildflowers and a cool minerality, redolent of steep mountainsides and old vines — 9 years ago

Roel van der Burg

Sommelier at Restaurant Entrepot

9.1

Crazy rosé. True 'vin nature' without the flaws. Grenache Noir & Blanc, Carignan and Mourvèdre from the steep hills around Banyuls. Search the internet for pictures of the vineyard & the 'casot' (a stone shelter in the middle of the vineyard). Stunningly beautiful! — 9 years ago

with Niek

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

9.3

One of my favorites. Lots of richness and complexity but it doesn't lose the lightness and minerality that I love from this area. El pecado=the sin, roman slaves who worked this vineyard called it hell bc it was so steep, this is Raùl's homage to them. 2011 vintage — 10 years ago

with Casa

Darius Allyn MS

Master Sommelier, Wine Director The Cromwell & Giada's Las Vegas

9.3

Always big on the Spice Garden- and one of the most steep, impressive Einzellage (vineyard) sites in the Middle Mosel.. Enjoyed with basic Thai Curry with slight coconut. Delicious! — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.5

Malaga is one of the far south wine growing regions very steep 60-90 year old vineyards. — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

So, what do you have after a two-hour 2016 Bordeaux tasting marathon? Answer, a 2005 second wine from a very good vintage and what we recognize as a 1st Growth producer even though it’s not with a choice steak from Alexander’s Steakhouse.

This 05 Petit Cheval is not its little brother but, it’s a close relative.

The nose reveals, ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum and baked strawberries. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, dark red, withering flowers with violets.

The body is; full, round, ruby and lush. The tannins are well rounded with firmness. There is still one to decades of life ahead. The structure and tension are still a teenager. The length & balance just starting to live up to what it can be. Ripe, ruby; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, stewed black plum, blackberries, plum, baked strawberries with creamy raspberries haunting the palate. Sweet tarry, anise, graphite, burnt charcoal, limestone minerals, wet clay, crushed dry rocks, touch of pepper, dark berry cola, dark chocolate, light caramel, liquid mocha, light medium spice, herbaceous notes, pine sap, eucalyptus, bay leaf, steep black tea, fresh tobacco, moist clay, dark rich turned earth, dark red, withering flowers with violets. Beautifully round acidity. The glorious, sexy, full, ripe, lush, elegant, extremely balanced finish is delicious and persistent for minutes.

Photos of, the 2016 UGC banner for the US, the old Chateau Cheval Blanc, their newer modern wine making facilities and my Bone in NY Strip with Wasabi Potato Purée. 😋 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

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

Beki Mann

9.0

Smoky, bitter tone, very austere. From extremely steep site on the cool end of Wachau in Spitz. Black granite, very dry, very stony, no irrigation, low yield stuff for fans of esoteric Rieslings. — 10 years ago

Wineshout 💀

9.1

A small lot, hand-harvested treat for a mature palate with a label that reminds me of Magneto which reminds me of the X-Men and a childhood of comics by the lake and hot summers = a wine that feeds both the mind and soul.

500 cases produced, from a vineyard on a steep southerly slope in Okanagan Falls, in the Okanagan Valley of western Canada. — 10 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.3

1958 vintage. Wonderful for a short moment. Then steep decline. — 11 years ago

Tom Kisthart

Owner Craft & Curd

10

From 80-year-old ungrafted vines in steep slopes of blue slate. "...and blue slate tastes good". Imported by Vom Boden. — 11 years ago

Gilles de Chambure

Master Sommelier & Educator

9.5

only 3.5 ha steep vineyards over the rhone river blend of 4 sites old vines 100% barrel fermented new french oak balanced and elegant with great finess — 12 years ago