2001 Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique

Performing well right before bottling, the 2001 Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique exhibits aromas of tapenade, honeysuckle, black fruits, minerals, and wood in its perfumed bouquet. Medium-bodied, with excellent fruit, purity, and overall symmetry, it will be at its finest between now and 2012. Rene Rostaing is one of the most masterful growers and bottlers of Cote Rotie. Sadly, there is not much produced. P.S. Pierre Rovani has raved about this wine in the past, and readers should not miss the Domaine du Puech-Chaud from the Coteaux du Languedoc. A Syrah-dominated red, it is a rich, character-filled effort made from Rostaing’s Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards. The 2000 was roaring from the glass when I tasted it in the estate’s Cote Rotie cellars. Importer: At the time of writing, Rostaing was in the process of changing importers after leaving Kermit Lynch.

Performing well right before bottling, the 2001 Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique exhibits aromas of tapenade, honeysuckle, black fruits, minerals, and wood in its perfumed bouquet. Medium-bodied, with excellent fruit, purity, and overall symmetry, it will be at its finest between now and 2012. Rene Rostaing is one of the most masterful growers and bottlers of Cote Rotie. Sadly, there is not much produced. P.S. Pierre Rovani has raved about this wine in the past, and readers should not miss the Domaine du Puech-Chaud from the Coteaux du Languedoc. A Syrah-dominated red, it is a rich, character-filled effort made from Rostaing’s Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards. The 2000 was roaring from the glass when I tasted it in the estate’s Cote Rotie cellars. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 147.

Dark red. Roasted dark berries, woodsmoke and a note of menthol on the nose. Sweet and dense but inexpressive and closed today. Less forthcoming than the 2000, and showing a stronger mineral character in the middle palate. Mocha and iron notes add complexity. Finishes with dusty tannins and an exotic hint.