Domaine Rostaing 'Ampodium' Syrah, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France 2022

Domaine Rostaing, established in 1971 by René Rostaing, is recognized for its exceptional single-vineyard Côte-Rôtie wines. 'Ampodium' stands apart as a blend of multiple lieux-dits, showcasing the broader expression of the appellation through a combination of Côte Blonde, La Landonne, and other prime vineyard sites.

• WINEMAKER: Pierre Rostaing
• FARMING: Sustainable practices
• VARIETY: 100% Syrah
• TERROIR: Sourced from over 20 acres across multiple lieux-dits in Côte-Rôtie, including parcels in Côte Blonde and La Landonne. Vineyards are characterized by steep slopes with schist and granite soils.
• VINIFICATION: Utilizes up to 100% whole cluster fermentation; maceration periods range from 7 to over 20 days; fermentation conducted in a combination of stainless steel and rotary fermenters to ensure gentle extraction.
• AGING: Aged in a mix of barrels and traditional pièces, with no more than 15% new oak to maintain purity of fruit and terroir expression.
• TASTING NOTES: Classic Côte-Rôtie aromatics with red and black fruit, floral notes, and earthy minerality. Structured yet elegant, with fresh acidity and refined tannins.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Roasted meats, game dishes, aged cheeses.

From our February 2025 Q1 Serious Inquiries Only Notes:

Domaine Rostaing 'Ampodium' Syrah, Côte-Rôtie, Rhône, France 2022

If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll know that I spent January of 2024 in the Northern Rhône, visiting some of the most iconic winemakers and tasting some of the most classic wines in the world. One of those visits was to Domaine René Rostaing, a benchmark producer in Côte-Rôtie. In fact, I was among a select group of sommeliers lucky enough to taste this very wine straight from the barrel. From my notes:

“Ampodium is a blend of barrel selections from specific plots in both the southern and northern parts of Côte-Rôtie, designed to reflect the vintage as a whole. This is the most ‘classic’ of Rostaing’s wines—expressive, intensely tannic, and destined to age beautifully.”

But let’s talk a little more about Domaine Rostaing itself. René Rostaing established the estate in 1971, guided by his uncle, the legendary Marius Gentaz. Over time, he secured parcels in the famed Côte Blonde and La Landonne lieux-dits. When both Gentaz and his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux, retired, René inherited even more top-tier vineyard plots, further solidifying the domaine’s reputation. His focus was always on purity of expression—capturing the essence of Côte-Rôtie’s steep, rocky terroir. In 2015, René passed the reins to his son, Pierre, who continues the legacy with the same dedication and respect for tradition. Pierre remains committed to classic Côte-Rôtie winemaking, using up to 100% whole-cluster fermentation, which gives the young wines their bold tannic structure and serious aging potential.

Unlike Rostaing’s famed single-vineyard bottlings, Ampodium takes a broader view, blending fruit from multiple lieux-dits, including Côte Blonde, La Landonne, and other top parcels across his 20 acres of schist and granite-laden soils. Fermentation includes up to 100% whole clusters, with maceration lasting from seven to over twenty days, ensuring a gentle but complete extraction of flavor and structure. Aging takes place in a mix of barrels and traditional pièces, with no more than 15% new oak to preserve the purity of fruit and terroir expression.

Expect classic Côte-Rôtie aromatics—red and black plums, black olive and pepper, aged charcuterie, violets, and smoky minerality—all wrapped in a framework of chewy tannins and fresh acidity. It is structured yet refined, rustic while elegant, with the potential to evolve beautifully over time (and based on those whole clusters, it will show its best with a few more years). Pair it with the classics: roast lamb, duck confit, venison, or aged cheeses. But honestly, it’s the kind of wine you open, decant, and sit with, letting it unfold in the glass. This is Côte-Rôtie at its best and it’s most pure, and I can’t wait for you to try it (but try, if you can, to lay it down for a few years!).  — Cara Patricia, DECANTnapa