2004 Cote Rotie Cuvee Classique

The 2004 Cote Rotie displays notes of olives, fresh herbs, sweet cherries, raspberry, and some smoke and lard. The wine is medium-bodied, has some tart acidity, and it is best drunk over the next 5-6 years. P.S. The least expensive wine Rostaing makes, which comes from the Coteaux du Languedoc, is the 2004 Puech Chaude. A blend of 80% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Grenache, aged 50% in tank and 50% and barrel, it is a beauty and ideal for drinking in its first 3-4 years of life. 2004 is a classic vintage for Rostaing, who succeeded in a tough year in the Northern Rhone by performing severe crop-thinning measures during the growing season. Nevertheless, these wines are dwarfed by his freakishly rich 2003s and his beautiful 2005s, which he claims are “the best vintage I’ve made.” Importer: Manny Berk, The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Medium red. Spicy, energetic red fruit aromas are precise and mineral-driven. Juicy, open-knit raspberry and cherry flavors are supported by delicate tannins. This very pure wine drinks well already.

Deep ruby-red. Pepper and oak spices lift the cherry and dried violet aromas. A midweight wine with lively flavors of cassis, cracked pepper and rose pastille. The tannins are dusty and fine.