1999 Rene Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde

Domaine Rene Rostaing is a 20-acre estate in the Cote Rotie and Condrieu, in France’s Rhone Valley, and it is considered something of a cult Rhone producer. Having learned winemaking from his father-in-law and uncle, both legendary Rhone Valley wine producers, Rene Rostaing made his first independent cuvees in 1971. After the retirement of his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux, and his uncle, Marius Gentaz-Dervieux, Rostaing acquired their old vine vineyards, which are some of the finest holdings in the Cote-Rotie. About a decade ago Rostaing also purchased property in the Coteaux du Languedoc near Nimes. Rostaing’s wines are made in the classic tradition of the area. His various Cote Roties typically earn high marks from critics. Besides his Syrah-based reds, he makes a Viognier.

The Northern Rhône Valley wine region hugs the Rhône River from Vienne in the north to Valence at its southern tip. The French call the region Côtes du Rhône Septentrionales, and it is divided into eight appellations. Along with its neighbor to the south, the Southern Rhone Valley, it is famous for its big, tannic, intensely concentrated wines. Syrah is the only red grape permitted in AOC wines from this sub-region, though the Syrah can be blended with the white wine grapes Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, depending on the regulations for each AOC. White wines are made from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Of the eight appellations in the north, the most admired wines tend to come from Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Hermitage, though there are certainly exceptional wines to be found in St. Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, St.-Peray, Crozes-Hermitage and Cornas. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines. Red wines from these appellations are notable for their signature aromas of bacon and green olives, and for their depth. Robert M. Parker, a great champion of Rhone wines, has written that “the northern Rhône produces three of the greatest wines in the world – the white wines of Condrieu and the red wines of Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage.”

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.