FFW 2021 Wine Catalogue

MEET THE GROWER Domaine René Rostaing AMPUIS Rostaing is Rhône royalty and a polymath, yet amore thoughtful andmodest man one could not hope tomeet. René began winemaking in 1971. His son Pierre began his involvement in the ‘15 vintage - wemet in 2017 for a wonderful tasting of the ‘16s and visited again in 2018. Pierre’s maternal grandfather, Albert Dervieux, was one of the northern Rhône’s first independent winemakers. As if the estate wasn’t already praised highly enough under René’s guidance a recent Wine Advocate reviewnoted “Young Pierre Rostaing has been on a roll making some of the best wines in Côte Rôtie fromhis family’s choice parcels in La Landonne, La Côte Blonde and Côte Brune. It’s my impression that the quality of the blended Ampodium is also reaching new heights.” This small Domaine of 7.4 hectares is all about fruit expression and terroir definition, and happily the word “newwood” solicits a severe scowl. Rene always felt he was more a “wine servant” than a “wine-maker”, although we view themboth as “WineMasters”. We adore the Domaine’s purity, freshness and vivacity of these wines and can’t recommend themhighly enough.

RHÔNE NORTHERNRHÔNE

WA92-94 POINTS

CÔTERÔTIE, AMPODIUM DOMAINE RENÉ ROSTAING 2018 DRINK2023 - 2035

6x75 £245

Mostly blended but still in barrel, the 2018 Cote Rotie Ampodium is a terrific introduction to the Côte Rôties of Rostaing. Mulberries and licorice appear on the nose, followed by savory notes of espresso and black olives on themedium to full-bodied palate. It’s silky, fine and complex, with a long, softly dusty finish. I also tasted a richer, more structured lot from la Viallière that will be blended in, along with a terrific-looking barrel fromLeyat that will add floral, raspberry andmocha notes.

—JOECZERWINSKI

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WINE CATALOGUE