2001 Condrieu La Bonnette

Readers should not miss Rostaing’s superb 2001 Condrieu La Bonette. Put through a 100% malolactic fermentation, it boasts aromas of white flowers and apricot liqueur offered in a heady, intoxicating, unctuous style with loads of concentration, glycerin, and definition. Enjoy this gorgeous Condrieu during its first several years of life. Rene Rostaing is one of the most masterful growers and bottlers of Cote Rotie. Sadly, there is not much produced. P.S. Pierre Rovani has raved about this wine in the past, and readers should not miss the Domaine du Puech-Chaud from the Coteaux du Languedoc. A Syrah-dominated red, it is a rich, character-filled effort made from Rostaing’s Languedoc-Roussillon vineyards. The 2000 was roaring from the glass when I tasted it in the estate’s Cote Rotie cellars. Importer: At the time of writing, Rostaing was in the process of changing importers after leaving Kermit Lynch.