Rene Rostaing
Les Lézardes Syrah
Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Vineyard: Various parcels from the northern edge of Côte Rôtie, mostly bottom slope. Rene is also using fruit from a Côte Rôtie vineyard in Tupin that he replanted in 2006.
Orientation: South/southeast exposure
Viticulture: Hand harvested, 35 hl/ha
Vinification: Traditional vinification. Maceration of 7-20 days, 50-75% whole cluster barring the event of less than ripe stems.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel tank
Production: 600 cases
RATINGS
Publication: Other
Rating: 90+ JG
The 2011 Les Lézardes from René Rostaing is really a terrific bottle of syrah, which strikes me a bit as a theoretical blend of Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph. The wine is deep, pure, and at twelve percent alcohol, bright and vibrant on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine and youthful blend of black raspberries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, pepper and a bit of lavender in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and quite full-bodied, with a great core of fruit, superb focus and balance, a fair bit of ripe tannin and excellent length and grip on the very long and still quite primary finish. Just because this lovely wine does not carry the Côte-Rôtie appellation on the label, do not think that this is an easy-going wine made for early consumption, as this is deep, structured and serious. It has to be one of the great bargains in northern Rhône syrah in the entire world and is very much worthy of adding to the cellar, if one can cross paths with the wine, as only six hundred cases are produced. 2020-2045+. - Jon Gilman
Vineyard: Various parcels from the northern edge of Côte Rôtie, mostly bottom slope. Rene is also using fruit from a Côte Rôtie vineyard in Tupin that he replanted in 2006.
Orientation: South/southeast exposure
Viticulture: Hand harvested, 35 hl/ha
Vinification: Traditional vinification. Maceration of 7-20 days, 50-75% whole cluster barring the event of less than ripe stems.
Aging: Aged in stainless steel tank
Production: 600 cases
RATINGS
Publication: Other
Rating: 90+ JG
The 2011 Les Lézardes from René Rostaing is really a terrific bottle of syrah, which strikes me a bit as a theoretical blend of Côte-Rôtie and Saint Joseph. The wine is deep, pure, and at twelve percent alcohol, bright and vibrant on both the nose and palate. The bouquet is a fine and youthful blend of black raspberries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, pepper and a bit of lavender in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and quite full-bodied, with a great core of fruit, superb focus and balance, a fair bit of ripe tannin and excellent length and grip on the very long and still quite primary finish. Just because this lovely wine does not carry the Côte-Rôtie appellation on the label, do not think that this is an easy-going wine made for early consumption, as this is deep, structured and serious. It has to be one of the great bargains in northern Rhône syrah in the entire world and is very much worthy of adding to the cellar, if one can cross paths with the wine, as only six hundred cases are produced. 2020-2045+. - Jon Gilman
Excellent, well structured from a great producer. Sourced fruit from all over Cote d' Rotie.
Excellent, well structured from a great producer. Sourced fruit from all over Cote d' Rotie.
Dec 16th, 2014Very serviceable declassified Syrah from an iconic producer of Cote Rotie gems.
Very serviceable declassified Syrah from an iconic producer of Cote Rotie gems.
Oct 22nd, 2014
Red fruits and peppery. Medium body, tannins and acidity.
Red fruits and peppery. Medium body, tannins and acidity.
Oct 16th, 2016
Earthy, slightly funky Syrah with great focus and precision. This wine still has a youthful brightness with firm acidity. Solid.
Earthy, slightly funky Syrah with great focus and precision. This wine still has a youthful brightness with firm acidity. Solid.
Jun 4th, 2015
Smoky sweet barbecue sauce classic showing this declassified juice coming off the banks of the roasted slopes. No work no waiting necessary. Perfect right out of the bottle and ridiculously hard not to finish too quickly. I don't know why I'm still seeing this on shelves regularly. Sleeping on it are we? Tisk tisk tisk
Smoky sweet barbecue sauce classic showing this declassified juice coming off the banks of the roasted slopes. No work no waiting necessary. Perfect right out of the bottle and ridiculously hard not to finish too quickly. I don't know why I'm still seeing this on shelves regularly. Sleeping on it are we? Tisk tisk tisk
Feb 23rd, 2015