René Rostaing is one of the great names of Côte Rôtie. He started out in 1971, with a little more than an acre of vineyards, split between the Côte Blonde and La Landonne. Since that time his holdings have expanded considerably and today his estate stands at over 20 acres of Côte Rôtie, including some highly valued plots, featuring in several cases some ancient vines.
He has the reputation as being one of the finest winemakers in the northern Rhone, crafting some of the finest Côte Rôties and Condrieus on the market today. From several parcels of old vines that immediately adjoin Côte-Rôtie and Condrieu, Rostaing produces a gorgeous non-appellation white and red called Les Lezardes. In Condrieu, he holds a tiny parcel in Côte Bonnette that yields some of the region’s most refined Viognier. Most of his Côte-Rôtie parcels are blended to produce the Cuvée Classique and there are his two prized Côte-Rôtie special cuvées, La Landonne and Côte Blonde.
Rostaing is in the modernist camp of Côte Rôtie producers; however, he goes easy on new oak and uses a maximum of 15% in the maturation process. All the wines are bottled unfiltered.
Recently, René and his wife purchased a modest estate, Domaine Puech Chaud, in the Côteaux du Languedoc. Located in a relatively cool micro-climate, the zone’s limestone gravel seemed perfect for the Rostaings’ love of Syrah. Bolstered with small amounts of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, and Vermentino.
The Puech Chaud Blanc is made from 50% Grenache Blanc, 35% Vermentino (also known as Rolle) and 15% Viognier. Raised entirely in stainless steel (like his acclaimed Condrieu), it offers stone fruit, melon, white flowers and citrus. Full bodied, concentrated and rich, with stone fruit, pear, some spice, saline and bay leaf. Nice minerality and acidity with some zing and a focused finish. 500 cases produced. 13% alcohol.
I got this on sale at Primo Vino on sale for $16.00 a bottle. It might only be May, but I’ll put this on my top ten whites for under $20 for 2009. Recommended.
Related post:
René Rostaing Vassal de Puech Noble Coteaux du Languedoc 2007
[...] René Rostaing Puech Chaud Blanc Coteaux du Languedoc 2005 McPrice Myers Viognier Larner Vineyard 2006 Cheverny, Le Petit Chambord, Domaine Francois Cazin, [...]
[...] a bottle. I would recommend this at under $20 a bottle — but I was more impressed with the 2005 Puech Chaud [...]