Est. 2001. Importer & Distributor of Fine Wine, Craft Spirits, and Ginjo Sake

Home | Producers | Domaine René Rostaing

Domaine René Rostaing
www.domainerostaing.com
Rene Rostaing (image from winewithkat.com)
Rene Rostaing (image from winewithkat.com)
Country of Origin: France
Location: Ampuis, Rhone
People: Rene Rostaing, Owner & Winemaker
Supplier: http://www.rarewineco.com


Not counting the much larger Guigal domaine, René Rostaing is the closest thing to a true cult star that Côte-Rôtie has yet produced. He started out in 1971 with just 1.16 acres of Côte-Rôtie vineyards, split between the Cote Blonde and La Landonne on the Cote Brune. Since that time, his holding have increased considerably; he inherited collectively 25 acres from his father-in-law Albert Dervieux-Thaize who was president of the Côte-Rôtie growers association for 33 years and from his uncle Marius Gentaz-Dervieux. This vineyard expansion enabled Rene to quit his day job in 1991 and to devote himself full time to winemaking.

In the late 1990's, Rene and his wife purchased a modest estate, Domaine Puech Chaud, in the Coteaux du Langudoc near Nimes. The cool micro-climate and limestone gravel of this zine produces one of the Midi's most beautiful Syrah-based wines. Apart from Guigal, Rostaing may have the finest vineyard holdings in Côte-Rôtie. He works 20+ ha, in 14 lieux-dits, including 1.6 ha in La Landonne, 1.5 ha in Fongeant, and 1.2 ha in La Viallière. A majority of the vines were planted in the 1960s and 1970s, but some of the Viallière vines exceed 100 years old! In addition, he has a choice 1.0 ha in Condrieu, and works a 10 ha site in the Côteaux du Languedoc.

He uses traditional techniques and modern technology. Rostaing adapts his methods to the vintage. Grapes can be destemmed or not. Maceration can vary from 7-20 days. All the Côte-Rôties are aged in a mix of 225 and 500 liter barrels (about 20% new). The Condrieu is fermented and aged in stainless steel.

When you think of René Rostaing, it is impossible not to think of the Cote-Rotie style and extra richness of the South, elegant, yet concentrated; expressive, but subtle; hedonistic, but cerebral.

International Wine Cellar 3/2013
"Drawing comparisons of the three most recent vintages, he summed things up this way: '2010 is a perfect balance of sun and terroir, 2009 is more about sun, and 2011 is more about terroir. That's why 2010 is the great one."

Media Links
Wine With Kat: Traipsing through the N. Rhone - Rene Rostaing!
Crush + Press: Cote-Rotie's Rene Rostaing
Items
Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Les Lezardes' Viognier, VdP Net Price — —
Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Ampodium' Cote-Rotie AOC Net Price Reviews —
Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Cote Blonde' Cote-Rotie AOC Net Price Reviews —
Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'La Landonne' Cote-Rotie AOC Net Price Reviews —
Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Les Lezardes' Syrah, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes Net Price — —
Domaine René Rostaing (375 ml) 2011 'Ampodium' Cote-Rotie AOC Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Domaine René Rostaing (375 ml) 2011 'Ampodium' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 92

Vivid ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry aromas are complicated by licorice and candied violet. Lithe and precise in the mouth, offering gently sweet black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that gain weight with air. Smooth and floral on the insistent finish, which is framed by harmonious tannins.

- International Wine Cellar (3/1/2014)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Ampodium' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 92

Vivid ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry aromas are complicated by licorice and candied violet. Lithe and precise in the mouth, offering gently sweet black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that gain weight with air. Smooth and floral on the insistent finish, which is framed by harmonious tannins.

- International Wine Cellar (3/1/2014)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Ampodium' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 90

The most perfumed, supple and approachable is the 2011 Cote Rotie Ampodium. Offering up beautiful, almost Burgundian-like, aromas of kirsch, raspberry, bouquet garni, forest floor and sweet spice, it has no hard edges, medium-bodied richness and a seamless, straight up delicious profile that’s hard to resist. Enjoy it over the coming decade.

- International Wine Cellar (12/15/2013)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Cote Blonde' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 94

Saturated ruby. Candied red and dark berries on the explosively perfumed floral, minerally nose. Stains the palate with intense blackberry and violet pastille flavors, gainingn depth and spiciness with aeration. Rich, energetic and graceful, finishing with superb clarity, power and fruit-driven persistence. One of the highlights of the vintage in the northern Rhone, with the balance to age but offering wonderful upfront appeal as well.

- International Wine Cellar (3/1/2014)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'Cote Blonde' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 95

As in 2012, the 2011 Cote Rotie Cote Blonde has the most depth and class. More reserved than the La Landonne currently, it yields notions of raspberry, crushed flowers, licorice and spice to go with a full-bodied, backward and beautifully concentrated profile on the palate. Perfectly balanced, with integrated acidity and ample, fine tannin, it should be at its best from 2017-2032.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2013)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'La Landonne' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 93

Opaque ruby. Ripe blackberry, blueberry and potpourri on the highly perfumed nose. Broad, sweet and seamless on the palate, delivering intense dark fruit compote flavors and suggestions of licorice and bitter chocolate. A spicy quality adds lift and bite to the finish, which clings with excellent clarity and smooth, slow-building tannins.

- International Wine Cellar (3/1/2014)

Domaine René Rostaing 2011 'La Landonne' Cote-Rotie AOC
Rating: 94

More substantial, with a meaty, muscular feel, the 2011 Cote Rotie La Landonne exhibits lots of olive tapenade, underbrush, crushed rock and blackberry-styled fruit on the nose. Full-bodied, nicely concentrated (especially for a 2011) and yet voluptuously textured, with moderate, fine tannin, it will round into form relatively early, yet evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.

- The Wine Advocate (12/15/2013)