Tom Kobylarz

8.9

Fairly simple and straightforward, I wish this wine was more gutsy than just appealing to taste soft and more fruity. Shows hints of what could be though so it is true to Syrah character. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

This was a real treat after the Gentaz-Dervieux since Rene Rostaing is Marius Gentaz’s son-in-law. While the vineyards that belonged to Marius are now famously part of the Rostaing domaine, that vineyard goes to Rene’s Côte Brune; this is his Côte Blonde and arguably his most famous bottling. This 2004 pours a cloudy ruby with brambles, purple flowers, blood, dust and leather. Slightly rustic which is what I want from Rostaing. I love the individuality and how it paired with the Iberico pork cheek, mushroom ragu with lavender and thyme. Plenty of life left. Drink through 2034+. — 6 months ago

Nate Wall

Winemaker at Troon Vineyard

9.0

A Northern Rhône take on a Southern Rhône blend - less stewed fruit, more floral and herbal and nuance. Lovely. — 3 years ago

Ludovic Anacleto

9.7

inky, saturated, dark. Magnificent.
The nose full of violets, crushed rocks, black olives, cedar, black cracked pepper. Alcohol is medium.

On the palate, a masterpiece of tannin management, full throttle yet perfectly integrated, melting in dark ripe berry giving a wholesome mouthfeel and a highly pitched acidity giving lightness and brightness to the overall massive texture.
The full stem gives a lightness to the whole ensamble that is stunning and a masterclass of equilibrium and definition alike.
Buy by the case.
— 3 months ago

Severn Goodwin

9.4

1992 | Syrah
Rhone; Côte-Rôtie, France — 9 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is my belief & I don’t think I am far from the mark that Alban profiled their wines from Rostaing. Rostaing started in 1971 & Alban in 1985.

Both have the roasted slope & roasted chestnut profile. The Alban is a better single terroir than the old world 7-8 vineyard blend of the Rostaing Ampodium. It’s riper & beefier. The fruits are roasted & ripe. The length, balance, tension & length are near its peak.

The nose reveals; roasted chestnuts, stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender.

The palate is; gorgeous, sexy, rich, lush & in perfect form. Roasted chestnuts. Stewed/baked/candied; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, raspberries, mulberries, expresso roast, dark, steeped, fruit teas, anise to black licorice, dry, crushed rocks, dry top soils, clay, some bacon fat, juicy, savory meats, dark, moist forest floor, limestone, dark heated spice with fresh; purple florals in a field of violets & lavender. In perfect form. Tannins are rounded, sweetly tarry. The acidity is perfect. The finish is very round & new world. It is a perfect balance of fruit & earth. It glides on the palate & persists endlessly.

Paired with the Cardiff Chipotle Tri-tip. The best Tri-tip we’ve had. You can order at CardiffCrack.com. Not inexpensive though. The best never is!

Photos of; John Alban, two of their single vineyards and their barrel room. — 4 years ago

with James and Christina

Pierre-nicolas Chabanel

8.9

Vintage 2021 — 4 months ago

Lars Ivar Flydal

9.1

Good Syrah based blend made by Cornas master Rostaing — 6 months ago

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.0

50% Grenache blanc, 35% Rolle (vermentino), 15% viognier and no oak! A masterpiece of fruits and personality. — a year ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. So what follows, a 91 La Turque served blind of course. Dark tawny and opaque. Notes of black cherries, coffee, iron, mocha, blood sausage. Very masculine and powerful in the mouth. Huge wine. Guessed 1999 Rostaing Cote Blonde Cote-Rotie. — 4 years ago