Domaine Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie Ampodium 2016

Cellar for 20 years or more. Decant for an hour or more before serving. This is a medium-bodied Syrah from the Northern Rhône, loaded with aromas of hedgerow berries, plum, olives, and liquorice. Ampodium is the winery’s signature blend, assembled from several plots of vineyards owned by the Rostaing family. It is an excellent example of an often overlooked part of the Rhône Valley, with plenty of room to evolve. Domaine Rostaing is one of the best-renowned wineries in Côte Rôtie, owned and operated by Pierre Rostaing since 2015, the son of the eponymous René. Due to Pierre’s apprenticeship with Dominique Lafon in the appellation of Meursault, Rostaing wines are made in a similar fashion to Burgundy wines. Ampodium is juicy and energetic on the palate, with a powerful core of ripe red fruits. It exhibits a smooth acidic attack, along with finely grained tannins that bring excellent structure, and a subtle, soil minerality. As the wine opens up over the course of a few hours, look for undertones of pepper, black olives, tobacco, and dried spices and herbs. It is an excellent introduction to Côte Rôtie, consider pairing it with a red meat stew, pungent cheese, or lamb skewers.

Price: £72.28 from 8wines UK