Description
History has it that vines were planted here centuries ago. Two thousand years ago the Latin authors Martial, Pline l’Ancien, Columelle and Plutarque called the wine from Côte Rôtie “Vin Viennois”.
During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the reputation of the wines from Ampuis just grew bigger. Before the revolution wines from Côte Rôtie were sent to Royal tables around the world; England, Russia, Prussia and France. The vineyard reached its peak in 1890. Every inch of sunny hillside was planted with vines. At this time, the outbreaks of Phyloxera and other diseases didn’t demotivate the winegrowers. Unfortunately World War One will ruin all their efforts. Over 150 men were sent to war and the vineyards were abandoned. It is only in the sixties that the vineyard was attended again.
Terroir
The vineyard of Côte Rôtie is located on the hills of the right bank of the Rhône river. Some of the slopes exceed 60%. The vineyard is located at an altitude ranging between 180 and 325 metres and is composed of 73 localities.
The main stone is granite covered in places by schist but also sand and calcareous soils.
For the most part, our wine comes from the southern part of the appellation; Côte Blonde and Coteau de Tupin. We wished to make wines with great distinction but also with elegance and finesse rather than wines from the north that tend to be harder and more powerful.
The vintage
2010 started with a very cold temperatures and snowfall. Spring started early in April which was exceptionally hot which allowed a fast budburst. Then May the temperatures went down a bit and with some rain. Flowering was as usual at then end of May, beginning of June.
The months of July and August were beautiful. Mid-July temperatures reached peaks during the day but often the high temperatures were followed by rain in the evening, cooling down the vegetation. Sanitary state was perfect and maturities were quite late.
In September the temperatures lowered and the nights were cold allowing slow maturing of the grapes. Harvest started around September 25th.
Location
The vineyard of Côte Rôtie is located on the hills of the right bank of the Rhône riverto the north and south of the village of Ampuis. Some of the slopes exceed 60%. The vineyard is located at an altitude ranging between 180 and 325 metres and is composed of 73 different localities.
Process
The grapes are cold-macerated before being fermented to increase the aromas of fruit. Maceration and fermentation for about 20 days with pumping-over for the first few days followed by punching-down. Ageing in 1-year-old barrels for 15 months.
Varietals
Syrah : 100%
Viognier
Tasting
The dark colour shows a good concentration.
The nose is a bit closed when first opened but after airing, aromas of black fruit and spices appear.
The mouth is silky, elegant and very flattering. The finish is long and shows that the wine has plenty of life in it.
Serving
Currently this wine needs to be decanted at least an hour before serving.
Drink in it’s youth: Slow roasted lamb will be a great match for this wine.
Reviews
93/100
"A step up, the 2010 Cote Rotie is a smoking effort that delivers the complexity and wild nature of the appellation in spades. White pepper, game, bacon fat, flowers and lively black raspberry fruit give way to a medium to full-bodied, fresh, lively and beautifully pure profile on the palate. Count me a fan and this beauty will drink nicely for over a decade."
Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck - 2013
90/100
"Vivid ruby. Black raspberry, licorice, minerals and fresh flowers on the highly fragrant nose and palate. Bright, juicy and sweet in the mouth, with refreshing acidity giving this broad, suave wine an impression of weightlessness. Finishes fresh and long, with zesty mineral and spice notes hanging on."
International Wine Cellar - 2012
93/100
"This is delicately floral on the nose, while vibrant raspberry fruit carries through on the palate. A hint of creaminess marks the texture, turning to fine silk on the finish."
Wine Enthusiast - 2013
93/100
"A light, sinewy style, with bay leaf and tobacco leaf notes running along with a mix of olive, alder and macerated black currant fruit. A charcoal underpinning lines the finish."
Wine Spectator - 2013