“The Rostaing touch is evident in the perfumed fruits and elegant, silky tannins.” – Andrew Jefford

If Rayas represent artistry, and Beaucastel represent avant-garde; Rene Rostaing is the rightfully the benchmark of classicist for the wines of Rhone. Classicism was not an easy notion to embrace – especially in views of the influx of modern ideas and interpretations of this famous “roasted slope” of Rhone, which was considered one of the Holy Grail sites for Syrah. As the modernists seek to promote wines that are cleaner, oakier and boast darker fruit, Rene Rostaing has never lost sight of what makes a good old Cote Rotie timeless and uniquely Cote Rotie. Their wines deliver ripe yet decidedly fresh fruit, they embrace long, gentle macerations and they stick with using up to 100% of stems so to preserve the distinctive perfume associated to Cote Rotie’s Syrah. If you are looking for a classic Cote Rotie benchmark expression, look no further than Rene Rostaing.

The best of Rene Rostaing wines, unsurprisingly, coincide with those that are crafted from Cote Rotie. Intensely perfumed, and showcasing the perfect balance between delicacy and power, Rene Rostaing’s Ampodium pays homage of how the wines of Rhone were best made traditionally i.e. by blending the very best of parcels in the appellation to give complex, versatile expressions. For those wanting to understand single-vineyard expressions better, Rene Rostaing La Landonne, Cote Blonde and Cote Brune make for a perfect horizontal terroir tasting lineup. The base of the Ampodium blend; or any of the single vineyard bottlings is the wealth of ancient vines owned now by Pierre, Rene’s son.

Finally, a special mention to the only non-Rhone wine in today’s lineup: Rene Rostaing, Puench Noble Coteaux du Languedoc. This is a wine for the connoisseurs or the wine geeks who are looking for a cooler, fresher version of wine from a Chateauneuf-du-Pape-like terroir, made in the hands of the masterful like Rostaing. This Southern French estate of Rostaing is now considered one of the best producers in Languedoc-Rousillon. And its value make it a wine that’s not to be missed.

Here’s an overview on all the wines crafted by Rene Rostaing

Flagship blend

Ampodium (formerly Classique): This blends fruit from all parcels they own across Cote Rotie. And that include what now goes into the single vineyard expression Cote Brune.

Single vineyards

Cote Bonnette: Rene Rostaing’s tiny Condrieu Viognier production. Go for this if you’d like to try some of the most refined Viogniers in the world.

La Landonne: Dark and powerful Syrah with a deeply perfumed bouquet combining potpourri and exotic spices.

Cote Blonde: Elegant yet opinionated Syrah with a nervy presence in contrast against La Landonne’s Grande Dame presence. Incredibly perfumed and charged with sweet fruit.

Cote Brune: A bottling made only since vintage 2013. It was once part of Ampodium. This is the most concentrated and broad-shouldered Syrah in the Rostaing lineup.

La Vialliere: Made from ancient vines and are only released when the vines and the vintage allow. This is a mineral bomb that delivers a Rostaing touch i.e. perfumed, sweet ripe fruit. A Cote Rotie hidden gem that will do well with extended ageing.

Non-Rhone expressions from Rostaing

Puech Noble Coteaux du Languedoc is a project picked up by Rene and his wife in late 1990s. It has a terroir that hugely resembles Chateauneuf-du-Pape whilst enjoy extra elevation that deliver fresher, cooler fruit. One of the most beautiful wines from Southern France.