Rene Rostaing worked in real estate before turning his hand to wine in 1971, but it wasn’t until 2000 that he devoted all his time to his estate. Today, he looks after 7.4 hectares across 14 lieux-dits and 20 separate plots in Côte Rôtie. Since 1996 he produces just three wines - the Classic from a blend of 11 different lieux-dits, a seductive Côte Blonde and a densely structured La Landonne. On average 75% of the crop is destemmed and aging is split between 228-litre casks and 550-litre demi-muids, with only 10% of the oak being new. The wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Beautifully detailed wines that show restraint and elegance are the hallmarks of the estate.

Pierre Rostaing has been shortening the cuvaison for this cuvée, and the 2020 Cote Rotie Ampodium received closer to three weeks on the skins than four. It’s still impressively dark and rich, with scents of black olives, violets, raspberries and a touch of orange zest. Medium to full-bodied and velvety in feel, it looks like a strong year for the estate’s blended wine. Date: Jan 2022; Drink: 2023-2032; Rating: 91-93 Points; Joe Czerwinski; Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

Saturated ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry, olive and pungent flowers are sharpened by a suggestion of black pepper. Supple and appealingly sweet,
offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry-cola and violet pastille flavours and a suggestion of star anise. Finishes Pliant, sweet and focused on the penetrating finish, showing smooth tannins and excellent tenacity. Date: Dec 2022; Drink: 2025-2033; Rating: 95 Points; Josh Reynolds; Vinous