Viniou Reviews
The Domaine René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie "Cuvée La Landonne" 2023 is a wine of exemplary pedigree from one of the northern Rhône’s most prestigious appellations. Produced exclusively from Syrah, this cuvée hails from the singular terroir of La Landonne, a revered lieu-dit situated on the steep slopes above the Rhône River. 2023 is shaping up to be a very promising vintage, offering ripe fruit supported by freshness, and this wine is known for its intense aromatic complexity, marrying notes of dark blackberry, violet, black olive, smoked bacon, and spice. The vinification at Domaine René Rostaing is meticulous, favouring whole cluster fermentation and a judicious use of oak, which plays a supporting rather than dominant role. The result is a wine of remarkable precision, with a robust tannic backbone, profound depth, and immense ageing potential.
Côte-Rôtie lies at the northernmost tip of the Rhône Valley, where the vineyards are dramatically terraced and benefit from a continental climate with Mediterranean influences. The area’s schist soils, often flecked with mica, impart a distinctive mineral signature to the wines, enhancing their elegance and structure. Côte-Rôtie has a long and illustrious history, believed to date back to Roman times, and today it stands as a benchmark for Syrah worldwide. The orientation of the slopes captures the best sunlight, allowing the grapes to achieve full ripeness while retaining their signature freshness.
Pair this Côte-Rôtie with equally refined dishes that can highlight its complexity, such as roast venison, duck breast with black cherry sauce, or a classic beef Wellington. Regional pairings like daube provençale or pigeon with lentils will resonate beautifully with the wine’s savoury and smoky undertones. It can also shine alongside mature cheeses such as Saint-Marcellin or aged Comté.
For the optimal tasting experience, decant the wine for at least an hour to allow its aromatics to fully express themselves. Serve at 16-18°C and, if possible, revisit over several hours as the wine unfurls in the glass. While it is captivating young, patience will be rewarded; this 2023 Côte-Rôtie will evolve gracefully for 15 years or more in a well-kept cellar.
