| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Rhône > Northern Rhône > Côte Rotie |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
The 2005 Cote Rotie Classique, of which there are 17,000 bottles, possesses a deep ruby color to the rim and a beautifully sweet nose of raspberries, ground pepper, a touch of spring flowers, and hints of licorice and spice. The wine is beautifully open, but then in the finish the tannins kick in, but they are sweet and unobtrusive. This is a beauty of elegance, finesse, and richness. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.
Tasted twice with almost identical notes. No fireworks on the nose, which is broody with faint scents of blackberry leaf, tar and graphite. Another three of four years should see the aromatic unfurl. The palate is full-bodied, very focused with amazing precision. Earthy, smoky and broody, like a panther stalking its prey! Just a touch of astringency on the finish but that does not spoil this stoic but engaging wine. Needs five or six years in your cellar though. Tasted December 2007. Drinking 2012-2018.
Juicy and racy, with a bright core of raspberry and red cherry fruit backed by sweet spice, iron and floral notes. The long, supple finish shows great focus. Drink now through 2020
Bright purple. Fresh, mineral-driven red berry aromas are clear and spicy. Snappy red fruit flavors display striking freshness and purity, with a very light tannic bite on the back. This has excellent verve.
Silky. Spicy, very heady, full and rich and great attack. Medium weight but very serious and correct. Already quite evolved and borderline 'dirty French wine' on the nose. Great freshness and purity on the palate though - real traditional Côte Rôtie - soft and feminine (stereotype). Round and gentle rather than sweet and okay. But it might not pass muster with a technocrat. Drink 2010-18
The 2005 Cote Rotie reveals a much darker color than its 2004 counterpart. Sweet black cherry and cola notes are intermixed with some camphor, herbs, and spice. On the palate, the wine has a boatload of tannin in the finish. This will be one of the more backward wines Rostaing has made, needing 2-3 years of bottle age and lasting 12-15 years.
