Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie "Cuvee Ampodium" 2023
(Northern Rhone, France) - [VM 93] [DM 93] [JD 90-92]

About the Winery:
The Rostaing estate dates to 1971 when René Rostaing– a Notary by trade – began tending a few plots of family vineyards. He had the perfect role model to guide him into a career of classical winemaking: Marius Gentaz, his uncle. Over the next few years, René took advantage not only of his uncle’s mentoring, but of historically low vineyard prices, to acquire a prized half acre each in the Côte Blonde and La Landonne lieux-dits.

And when he married, he acquired a second traditional role model, his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux. Dervieux retired in 1989 and Gentaz followed three years later, giving René a further ten acres of very old vines in some of the appellation’s top sites. This treasury of vineyards launched René’s estate into the stratosphere.

The vineyard expansion also enabled René to quit his day job and to devote himself full time to winemaking. Over the next 25+ years, he crafted a sequence of masterful wines that honored the legacy of his illustrious forebearers.

In 2015, René’s son, Pierre, took the reins at an estate that boasts 20+ acres of the finest vineyards in and around Côte Rôtie.

About this Wine:
Historically referred to as the Cote Rotie "Classique", Rostaing's Ampodium is elegant, well-balanced and classic! Ampodium refers to the Provencal name for the famed village of Ampuis where the vines are planted. The wine is produced from Syrah vines from vineyards throughout the appellation, aged in a mix of 225 and 500 liter barrels (about 7% new).

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Côte-Rôtie Ampodium breathes out alluring orange rind, crushed violets, fresh-cut ripe blackberry, red plum and fragments of black cherry. Stemmy tones add more complexity. Round and concentrated, the 2023 hits the mid-bodied palate with immaculate fresh clarity, easing the last impressions with juicy dark cherries and finely expressed spicy tones. (Drink between 2027-2036)" – Nicolas Greinacher (Jan 2026)

93 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"A medium-bodied style, this has a good sense of vibrancy, lovely bright acidity and crunchy, defined tannins. Raspberry scented, with blood orange notes too – it's very fresh but ripe, with great energy and pep. Not hugely concentrated, but there's a lovely taut, briskly tannic structure. 90% whole bunches this year – Tupin was destemmed a bit. (Drink between 2030-2037)" - Matt Walls (Oct 2024)

90-92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Very floral and perfumed, with rose petals, sweet red berries, and spice, the 2023 Côte Rôtie Ampodium is medium-bodied and shows the fresher, pure, elegant style of the vintage. A kiss of new oak shows on the palate and it has a silky, seamless texture. It's always a terrific wine, and it shows the house style as well. If you're trying to understand Rostaing, give this a whirl.

<!--more-->One of the reference points for Côte Rôtie, Domaine Rostaing is now firmly in the hands of Pierre Rostaing, who continues the legacy of his father René. Farming is sustainable, and winemaking remains traditional, with full destemming (there might be a stem or two in some of these) and élevage in a mix of larger older and new French oak, with the new wood kept to a minimum. The range includes the classic Côte Rôtie Ampodium, which blends multiple parcels, as well as single lieu-dit bottlings from La Landonne, Côte Blonde, Côte Brune, and Le Viallière. A Condrieu and a Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah (Les Lézardes) round out the lineup." (May 2025)