Domaine Rostaing
Overview
One of the top domaines at Côte-Rôtie. René Rostaing married the daughter of Albert Dervieux, long-time doyen of the vineyards in the central zones — the top table. From his wife there was also some ex-Marius Gentaz-Dervieux vineyard involved. Since 2015, son Pierre has been making the wine. Based in Ampuis. Exports 87% of production.
Appellations
- Côte-Rôtie
- Condrieu
- Coteaux du Languedoc (Puech Noble)
Key Wines
- Côte Blonde — the top Côte-Rôtie, from the La Garde subset of the Blonde, involving 1950s, 1970-72, and 1980 Syrah plus 3-4% Viognier. “A wine whose beauty comes through after decades rather than years”
- Ampodium — the classic Côte-Rôtie from a maze of over 10 lieux-dits. Hits a good standard; the 2021 was on maximum charm, “a rare w.o.w. Côte-Rôtie”
- Côte Brune — from the replanted vineyard of Marius Gentaz-Dervieux, started 2013
- La Viallière — Pierre’s introduction, from Verenay
- La Landonne
- Condrieu La Bonnette — from 1987 Viognier, only steel vat handling. 4-5 star wine of great finesse in 2022
- Les Lézardes Viognier — from very old 1974 vines on Sainte Agathe, just outside the Condrieu appellation
- Les Lézardes Syrah — IGP; the 2018 approached Côte-Rôtie in standing
Clean, clear-fruited, initially tight wines with some oak influence. Emphasis on elegance and patient cellaring. Much use of demi-muids (550-600 litre casks). Both whites have gained cut and clarity with Pierre lowering SO2.
Style Notes
Elegant, precise Côte-Rôtie built for the long haul. The Dervieux-Gentaz heritage gives access to some of the appellation’s most storied vineyard sites. Pierre is expanding the plot-specific range while maintaining the house style of clean, clear fruit and refinement. The 2010s were “supreme” according to JLL.
My Tastings
Key Wines & Vintage Notes (JLL / drinkRhone.com)
Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde
The top wine. From La Garde subset, 1950s-1980 Syrah + 3-4% Viognier. “Beauty comes through after decades.”
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ★★★★★ | 2054-56 | Elegant blackberry, sweet herbs, smokiness; well inset |
| 2022 | ★★★★(★) | 2050-58 | Black fruit, cassis, smoky blue fruit; holds back calmly |
| 2021 | — | 2048-50 | Busy raspberry, graphite; cool, collected; upright |
| 2020 | ★★★★★ | 2049-57 | Sunny openness, liqueur raspberry; “built for the long haul” |
| 2019 | ★★★★★ | 2054-60 | Vigorous exuberance, intense red cherry, mulberry; wide and insistent |
| 2018 | ★★★★★ | 2052-55 | Plentiful, curvy; savoury blackberry, menthol; close-knit, solid |
Cote-Rotie La Landonne
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ★★★★+ | 2052-54 | Neat black cherry, dark, inky, licorice; sleek |
| 2022 | ★★★★★ | 2051-56 | Purposeful, sleek curve of black cherry; sexy opening |
| 2021 | — | 2046-48 | Curved, smoky red fruits, raspberry, glisten |
| 2020 | ★★★★ | 2048-54 | Clear curve, intense blackberry, licorice, blue fruit; iron right away |
| 2019 | — | 2052-54 | Curvy, sunny blackberry, elderflower, savoury-herbal |
| 2018 | — | 2050-52 | Concerted cassis and raspberry, licorice; all as one |
Cote-Rotie Ampodium
The classic blend from 10+ lieux-dits. Solid quality.
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ★★★★ | 2048-50 | Joli floral tone, red fruits; sanded tannins |
| 2022 | ★★★★–★★★★★ | 2046-50 | Blackberry, sweet, iodine; attractive juice |
| 2021 | ★★★★ | 2041-48 | ”Ace pretty nose, classic roses with graphite-violet… rare w.o.w. Cote-Rotie” |
| 2020 | ★★★★ | 2045-48 | ”A very good vintage, solid four-star quality” |
| 2019 | — | 2044-46 | Raspberry, hay, cut grass; neat precision |
| 2018 | — | 2045-47 | Hint of South, black olives, simmered coulis |
Cote-Rotie Cote Brune
From replanted Marius Gentaz-Dervieux vineyard. Started 2013.
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ★★★★(★)+ | 2053-55 | Forward raspberry coulis; good structure |
| 2022 | ★★★★(★) | 2049-52 | Smoky, cherry stone, raspberry coulis, cooked plums |
| 2020 | — | 2054-56 | Iron-filled, violets, cassis, blueberry coolness |
| 2018 | — | 2053-55 | Surprise floral-rose airs on stylish blackberry coulis |
Cote-Rotie Vialliere
Pierre’s introduction from Verenay.
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | 2051-53 | Floral, violets, black cherry, bounce |
| 2022 | ★★★★(★) | 2049-55 | Serious; gunflint, cordite, snap; cassis depth |
| 2019 | — | 2052-54 | Floral, musky; mulberry liqueur, iron, blood |
Condrieu La Bonnette
1987 Viognier, steel vat only.
| Vintage | Rating | Drinking Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ★★★★ | 2032-33 | Peach stone, grapey, melon; well set gras |
| 2022 | — | 2031-32 | Stylish, lingers attractively, apricot fruit |
| 2019 | ★★★★ | 2028-30 | Joli depth, cooked pear, sustained |
Vintage Context (from JLL vintage reports)
- 2020: Cote Blonde five stars (“built for the long haul”); La Landonne four stars; Ampodium “a very good vintage, solid four-star quality.” A seductive, balanced vintage at Cote-Rotie. See 2020 Rhone Vintage.
- 2021: Ampodium was “a rare w.o.w. Cote-Rotie” — “ace pretty nose, classic roses with graphite-violet.” An outstanding result in a difficult year. See 2021 Rhone Vintage.
2019 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde five stars (“vigorous exuberance, intense red cherry, mulberry; wide and insistent”). La Viallière: “floral, musky; mulberry liqueur, iron, blood.” Condrieu La Bonnette four stars. Côte-Rôtie was exceptional in 2019 thanks to August rain producing fluid, racy wines. See 2019 Rhone Vintage.
2018 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde five stars (“plentiful, curvy; savoury blackberry, menthol; close-knit, solid”). Ampodium: “hint of South, black olives, simmered coulis.” Côte Brune: “surprise floral-rose airs on stylish blackberry coulis.” The northern sector of Côte-Rôtie fared better in 2018, with more iron and cut. See 2018 Rhone Vintage.
2014 Cote-Rotie: René Rostaing was gradually handing over to son Pierre during this period. A tender, elegant vintage — fruit-forward with mild tannins. See 2014 Rhone Vintage.
2013 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde five stars; Côte Brune five stars. A tricky year that worked out well — good body and terroir expression. See 2013 Rhone Vintage.
2012 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde five stars. A good, northern-style vintage of elegance over power. See 2012 Rhone Vintage.
2010 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde six stars; Ampodium and La Landonne both five stars. JLL ecstatic: “What fruit, what balance, what richness.” Compared the vintage to 1978. See 2010 Rhone Vintage.
2009 Cote-Rotie: Côte Blonde six stars. A magnificent vintage — dense, concentrated, with polished tannins. See 2009 Rhone Vintage.
2005 Cote-Rotie: A vintage that “dances with delights.” JLL places 2005 in the realm of 1978 and declares it a wonderful year for Syrah lovers. The highly impressive, subtle old vine Côte-Rôties are wines that Burgundy lovers should know. See 2005 Rhone Vintage.
Sources
sources/articles/JLL/Rene_Rostaing.txt— JLL / drinkRhone.com producer profilesources/articles/JLL/rhone_wines_data.json— Wine-by-wine vintage notes (JLL / drinkRhone.com)sources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json— JLL vintage reports 2005-2024