2017 Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Ampodium Cuvée Classique

Beautifully perfumed, with loads of black raspberries, gamey meats, truffle, and exotic spice, the 2017 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is medium to full-bodied, with a layered textured, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This brilliant Côte Rôtie will benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for a decade. This was another power-packed lineup from the Rostaing Family, and you can’t go wrong with any of these new releases. The 2017s show the sunny yet also elegant style of the vintage and have beautifully polished, ripe tannins. These wines offer pleasure even today but do your best to give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age, especially the single vineyard releases. Looking at the 2018s, these are largely in the same style yet have slightly more concentrated, structured profiles. My money is on the 2018s requiring slightly more bottle age, but I’ll report on those from bottle this time next year. In addition to the Côte Rôties, don’t miss a chance to try the Languedoc and Collines Rhodaniennes releases. Both represent terrific wines as well as value.

Hints of peppery spice and licorice add complexity to the blueberry and cassis-scented nose of the 2017 Cote Rotie Ampodium. It's medium to full-bodied, with silky but firm tannins and a long, dusty finish. It should be approachable in a couple of years but drink gracefully for a decade and a half.

Open, meaty nose with a lovely herby note. Smoked sausage character. Succulent and peppery on the palate, and only just hinting at the further complexity which lies in store. (RH)