ABOUT THIS WINE

This gorgeous Syrah by René Rostaing comes from various parcels from the northern edge of Côte Rôtie, mostly bottom slope. Rene is also using fruit from a Côte Rôtie vineyard in Tupin that he replanted in 2006. Hand-harvested with traditional vinification. Maceration of 7-20 days, 50-75% whole cluster barring the event of less than ripe stems. Aged in a combination of older barrels.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The Rostaing estate dates to 1971, but rose to real prominence in the early ‘90s after founder René Rostaing inherited a treasury of prime vineyards from two of Cote Rotie’s early giants; his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux, and uncle, Marius Gentaz. In the late 1990s, René and his wife purchased a property in the Côteaux du Languedoc near Nîmes, giving the Rostaings a chance to produce Syrah on the limestone soils so beloved by many French growers. Today, René’s son, Pierre, tends over 7.5ha of vines in 14 climats, including some of Côte Rôtie’s most revered vineyards such as La Landonne, Côte Blonde, La Viallière, and Côte Brune.

Winemaking follows the classical model. Up to 100% of the stems are used depending on vintage and ripeness. An extended, gentle maceration is followed by aging in a mix of pièce and demi-muid, with only about 10-15% new.