2023 René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie Côte Blonde, Northern Rhone

Black and blue fruits, crushed stone, and mineral notes all emerge from 2023 Côte Rôtie Côte Blonde, which comes from a site of slightly more granitic soils located in the middle of the appellation. Medium to full-bodied and very elegant, it has more velvety tannins than La Landonne, with a supple, seamless style that's pure and perfumed, which is what this site always seems to yield. Barrel Sample:

94-96 points Jeb Dunnuck

The pale granite and schist soils of Côte Blonde produce some of the most perfumed and elegant wines in the Northern Rhône, and few producers interpret this celebrated hillside with greater sensitivity than René Rostaing. Widely regarded as one of Côte Rôtie's modern masters, Rostaing has spent decades refining a style that captures the appellation's power while preserving its extraordinary fragrance and finesse.

The estate itself represents an important part of Rhône history, bringing together vineyards inherited from two legendary domaines, those of Albert Dervieux and Marius Gentaz. The exceptional 2023 vintage delivered fruit of remarkable purity and balance, allowing the character of Côte Blonde to shine with clarity and precision. Traditional winemaking and careful élevage ensure the vineyard remains firmly at the centre of the story.

Deep ruby with youthful purple hues, the bouquet is captivatingly complex, revealing blackberry, black cherry and damson layered with violets, cracked pepper and smoked herbs. As the wine evolves in the glass, notes of olive tapenade, graphite, bacon fat and exotic spice emerge, adding unmistakable Northern Rhône character. The palate is beautifully sculpted, combining dark fruits with silky tannins and vibrant acidity. There is remarkable energy beneath the wine's concentration, while the finish unfolds slowly with floral perfume, savoury spice and mineral detail lingering long after the last sip.

This is a magnificent partner for roast lamb with rosemary, venison loin, duck with black olives, mushroom pithivier or slow braised beef cheeks. While already immensely impressive with careful decanting, the pedigree and balance of Côte Blonde promise decades of graceful evolution.