2020 René Rostaing Condrieu “La Bonnette”, Rhône Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE:

Two plots of old-vine Viognier - 0.6 ha Côte Bonnette and 0.4 ha Ste-Agathe. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. 400 cases

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER:

René Rostaing launched this estate in 1971, but continued to split his time between wine and real estate for another 20 years. René inherited the vineyards from two of the appellation’s historical titans, his father-inlaw, Albert Dervieux and then his uncle, the legendary Marius Gentaz, between 1989 and 1992. From these two, he also learned to value the noble style of classic Côte Rôtie. Since 2015, the domaine has been managed by René’s son, Pierre. Along with Jamet, Rostaing may have the finest vineyard holdings in private hands in Côte Rôtie. Pierre works over 7.5+ ha, in 14+ lieux-dits, including 1.6 ha in La Landonne, 1.2 ha in La Viallière, 1.0 ha in Côte Blonde, and 0.3 ha in Côte Brune. A majority of the vines were planted in the 1960s and 1970s, but some of the Viallière vines exceed 100 years old. In addition, he has a choice 1.0 ha in Condrieu, and works a 10 ha site in the Côteaux du Languedoc. Pierre adapts his methods to the vintage. Viticulture is lutte raisonée, with no artifical fertilizers or herbicides employed. Grapes are harvested by hand, reds are not generally destemmed, and fermentations proceed with their indigenous yeasts. Average yields are around 30hl/ha. Established: 1971 Proprietor/Winemaker: Pierre Rostaing Appellation: Côte Rôtie & Condrieu Soils: Schist dominates throughout the Rostaing holdings, while granite comes to dominate the estate’s Condrieu holdings.