Domaine René Rostaing Côte Rotie Ampodium Rostaing 2019

Moving to the 2019s from bottle, the 2019 Côte Rôtie Ampodium offers lots of peppery herbs, flowers, bacon fat, and sweet black raspberry fruit in a medium to full-bodied, meaty, straight-up classic Côte Rôtie style. It’s well worth seeking out as a multi-bottle purchase, as it will offer loads of pleasure over the coming 15 years.

Primary black/blue fruit, violet, allspice and olive qualities on the highly perfumed nose, where a smoky mineral nuance adds energetic lift. Sweet, deep-pitched blueberry, cherry and fruitcake flavors spread out steadily in the mouth, picking up spiciness and a touch of licorice on the back half. Finishes with sharp clarity and silky tannins that provide closing shape and grip.

An opulent, rich vintage of this cuvée, the 2019 Cote Rotie Ampodium still offers up nicely detailed, intricate floral notes layered atop raspberries and mocha. Medium to full-bodied, it's velvety and lush, with plenty of length on the finish. It should drink well for more than a decade.