Ampodium Côte-Rôtie Syrah

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Equally enjoyable on both nights however, the nose was most powerful on Day 1. “Ampodium” (formerly Classique) is 100% Syrah sourced from a dozen or so vineyards and made in a largely traditional style; plenty of whole cluster and a very judicious use of new French oak. The 2010 “Ampodium”pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe, some desiccated and some tart, black and blue fruits: blackberries, blueberry pie, fields of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, iodine, and granite earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and laden with rocky minerals. Totally in balance and at peak. Lovely. Drink now through 2035.

Charleston Food and Wine Classic…Rhone tasting

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.

The 2021 Côte-Rôtie Ampodium used 90% whole-clusters during fermentation. This winemaking technique becomes visible in the aromatic profile through a marked stemminess, complemented by bright red fruits, cedar and floral shadings. Medium-bodied and framed by low levels of soft tannins, the 2021 is a polished and refreshing Ampodium that concludes with a bright finish. (Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous, March 2024)

Straight up my wheel house for Old World Syrah.

It is called Cote-Rotie or translation roasted slope for a reason.

The nose has beautifully, lightly floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in amazing violets.

The body is smooth as silk. The fruits are ripe & juicy; blackberries, dark cherries, plums for days, black raspberries, poached strawberries and hues of blueberries. Some black pepper, shades of lightly, grilled meats, steeped black tea, hues of roasted chestnuts, sandalwood, some dry tobacco, crushed rock powder, river stone, dry top soil, used leather, red cola, dark, rich earth, dark, red, blue withering florals framed in a. amazing field of violets. Rainfall acidity, soft structure & tension, well balanced and an elegant, beautiful, lush finish. Damn beautiful wine.

Sofia & I walked the La Landonne vineyard with Pierre and tasted in the cellar w/ Rene & Pierre.

Excellent with both Tri-tip’s…rubbed & marinated.

Tight but opens up in the glass. Inky color

Wow. PNP and drinking beautifully. Bramble, rosehips, succulent midsummer plum. Hint of olive brine, iodine. Incredible minerality. Incisive. A bit of nuanced bitterness

Surprisingly reticent given the vintage. It may be a closed-down phase or it may be that it’s their second wine but this is a little muted. Olive, bloody tart dark plum and black cherry fruit. Some dried herbs. Hardly explosive but perhaps worth leaving for a few years to see if it blossoms.

Deep ruby in color. Tart blueberry, blackberry, pomegranate, red cherry, violet leaf, black olive, game, leather, black pepper quadrupled, lightly Brett, med+ acid, elevated tight tannins, long finish. Classic expression.

Rhubarb, savory game, flint, wild blackberry, tar.