Côte Rôtie, Cuvée Classique, 2001
A blend of several vineyard plots including La Viaillère, this shows excellent balance, really fine ripe victoria plum and wild berry fruit supported by grainy tannins and fresh acidity.
critic reviews
Medium-deep red. Smoky red fruits, bacon fat and pepper on the nose. Peppery and sappy in the mouth, with good definition and lovely persistence. Very firmly built wine, finishing with suave tannins. With its 12. 2% alcohol, this is more classic than the young 2003.
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 Rostaings Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards. The 2000 was roaring from the glass when I tasted it in the estates Cote Rotie cellars. Importer: At the time of writing, Rostaing was in the process of changing importers after leaving Kermit Lynch.