Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2015 | From 50+ years old Chenin Blanc grown on Schist. Modest colour not giving away the age of the wine. A bit shy in smell, the characteristics are all here: hay, minerals, hints of honey. Quite powerful taste, I’d say for acquired tasters, good balance with a lot of bitters. As beautiful as difficult. 🫶 — 9 months ago

Barberry Garden

9.2

Tasted blind while knowing the list of wines. Guessed the bottle. The first sniff reveals a fistful of peonies and violets (sorry, Lena), which led my thoughts to Fleurie. Add some sour cherries, strawberries, a tiny bit of barnyard, and underbrush. Sophisticated, concentrated, juicy, smooth, round and flavourful wine with good acidity. Wonderful evolution in the glass.

Tasted on 2023-07-21 — 3 years ago

ESF

8.9

Priorat made for the masses: this was a very accessible med bodied fruit driven crowd pleaser - I mean there was some of the mineral schist that you look for, but it was hidden in the background. Smooth & juicy gobs of red fruit - fairy well balanced, not a bad effort at all w/approachable price point of $21 — 4 years ago

Martinez

8.9

Fresh, mineral-driven blend of Palomino Fino and Doña Blanca from 115 year old vines from Valdesacia, a tiny parcel at an elevation of 750m on sandy soils over a bedrock of quartz and schist. Very dry. Good acidity. — 7 years ago

Matt

8.9

To me the best part of Mencia is its tendency to aromatically possess a richer and riper fruit character on the nose, but then on the palate a juxtaposition to tart, brambly fruit thats crisp and always contains a certain vitality to it. Balanced extract here, mineral tannins and acidic cut typical of schist soils, but there’s a little extra plumpness that’s really appealing too. Points for the price of course — 7 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

The wine is surprisingly open for a 2014. Slate, schist, beautiful minerality. Wait 3 to 5 years for optimum complexity. 10 x the price of secret address in burgundy last week. — 8 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.2

Superb 2016. Mica-schist & gneiss; vines average 40 years. Creamy, leesy; continued to open over three days. A great lesson in the superior quality of hand-harvested fruit. #muscadet #luneau #fromenteaux #loire — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

2010 was a very good vintage in Rhône. Rostaing is a well know producer with people that know and drink Northern Rhône wines, not so much with others that do not. The Ampodium is the entry level into Rene & Pierre Rostaing wines. It is a blend of 13 vineyards in Northern Rhône. They are simply one of the very best producers in the region. I spent an afternoon with Rene & his son Pierre tasting in the their cellar and in their La Landonne vineyard as shown in the photos. The 2010 is drinking beautifully with many good years ahead. On the nose; ripe & slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries, cherries, steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, iron pan, some white & black pepper, bacon fat, grilled savory meats, pork, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with violets. The body is round and medium full. The tannins round, still a little chewy & around 55% resolved. The length, texture, tension and balance are in near perfect harmony. The fruits are; round, ruby & ripe; slightly stewed/baked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, strawberries, creamy raspberries, stewed plum, black raspberries & cherries. Steeped fruit tea, dry crushed rocks, chalky minerals, iron pan, coffee grounds, spice, some baking spices w/hints of vanilla, white & black pepper, drying blood, dry herbs/bay leaf, dry stems, moderate levels of bacon fat & pork, grilled savory meats, black licorice, black cherry cola, decayed & fresh red florals with fresh violets for days. The acidly is round and dripping. The long finish is plush, velvety delicious and lasts & lasts. In good vintages, I would put this in blind with the best of of the best new world wines from any vintage that many love; SQN, Booker, Saxum, Alban, Cayuse, Horsepower etc.. I’d bet most of you would pick it over these producers that cost much more $$$. It’s simply one of the best pound for pound wines/producers for this varietal. Especially, for the $$$. Wow, what a wine for the $. $55 upon release. Photos of; Winemaker Pierre Rostaing and our group in their La Landonne vineyard, the small sign that barely identifies their Estate, an example of the Quartz mineral that runs throughout their La Landonne vineyard and the view back onto the river from the top of the very steep La Landonne Vineyard. Producer notes and history...Rene Rostaing produced their first wine in 1971. However, it took almost three decades before wine became a full time occupation for Rene Rostaing. Domaine Rene Rostaing came about through marriage. The wife of Rene Rostaing was the daughter of the famed Cote Rotie grower, Albert Dervieux, and the niece of Marius Gentaz-Dervieux who gave Christine the vineyard land that became the Northern Rhone estate for Rene Rostaing. Through inheritance from Albert Dervieux Thaize (his father-in-law) who retired in 1990, and from Marius Gentaz Dervieux, his uncle, Rene Rostaing expanded his holdings, giving him some of the best terroir in Cote Rotie. The new vineyard land was basically 3 small parcels in the La Landonne, Cote Brune and Vialliere lieux-dits. This initial expansion from his initial tiny parcel, allowed Rene Rostaing to change careers and become a full time vigneron. Since 2007, the estate has managed by Pierre Rostaing, (son) of Rene Rostaing. Currently Rene Rostaing owns 7.5 hectares of vines that is spread out among 20 different parcels located in 14 locations. Perhaps the most celebrated vines of Rene Rostaing are the 1.6 hectares of vines they own in the La Landonne vineyard (photo). On La Landonne, the vines are more than 60 years old. Some vines are even close to 100 years of age! Those are his largest holdings. The smallest vineyards of Rene Rostaing are located on Cote Blonde. Rene Rostaing also has vines planted in; Fonjean, La Vialliere, Le Plomb, Bouchare, Leyat, La Roche and La Tupin. Their oldest vines are more than 70 years old and are used for Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde. The majority of those plantings are on the steep hillsides with mica, schist and rocky soils. 25% of those vines are closer to the bottom of the slopes and on the flats. Rene Rostaing remains a traditional Cote Rotie producer who is not among the last to harvest. His wines are aged using very little new, French oak barrels. On average, Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie are aged in about 10% new French oak barrels. Rene Rostaing produces 4 different Cote Rotie wines. Rene Rostaing Ampodium, which was previously known as Rostaing Cuvee Classique, is a blend of 13 sections of different vineyards, but it does not include their best holdings on La Landonne or Cote Blonde. The fruit for Rene Rostaing Ampodium has at least 40% or more of the stems removed and run between 12-13.5% abv. The wine is usually made from 100% Syrah and is aged in an average of 15% to 25% new, French oak barrels. The amount of new oak can be less, depending on the character of the vintage. About 1,750 cases are produced each year. The wine is no longer called Cuvee Classique, the name was changed to Rene Rostaing Ampodium with the 2009 vintage. Rene Rostaing La Landonne comes from a terroir consisting of sands with iron oxide and traces of quartz. This wine is always produced from 100% Syrah. The grapes are partially destemmed, with about 10% to 20% of the stems removed, depending on the vintage. There are vintages when no destemming takes place. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats. Rene Rostaing is not a believer of using too much new oak for the aging, which on average uses 10% new, French oak barrels and the remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids (600 liter) and French oak barrels. This wine is like most wines from La Landonne, masculine and meaty in character, requiring at least a decade to soften and develop. On average, Rene Rostaing La Landonne produces less than 600 cases depending on what the vintage delivers. Rene Rostaing Cote Blonde is perhaps his best. It’s produced from a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The grapes are co-fermented. The vineyards is planted in the region call Arzel. Arzel is a poor, mineral laden soil with deposits of Silex and Mica on a steep hillside. The vines are more than 50 years of age. The grapes are partially destemmed…35% to 50% of the stems are removed. The remainder of the grapes are whole bunch fermented in stainless steel vats.
The remainder of the harvest is aged in demi-muids. This one is the hardest to find and most collectible of all their wines. In fact, they only produce close to an average of 350 cases of Cote Rotie in most vintages. Rene Rostaing Cote Brune made its debut with the 2013 vintage. The vines were once part of the holdings of Marius Gentaz, which eventually passed to Rene Rostaing. Rostaing replanted those vines in 2000. Made from 100% Syrah. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Château de Fesles – La Chapelle Vieilles Vignes Chenin Sec 2010. Anjou, Loire Valley – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A limited-edition bottling from one of Anjou’s most historic estates, this Chenin Blanc comes from old vines (“vieilles vignes”) rooted in schist soils surrounding the chapel of the domaine. Château de Fesles is renowned for producing some of the Loire’s most age-worthy Chenins, and this 2010 shows just how gracefully the grape can evolve.

Aromas & Flavors
Complex layers of baked quince, dried apricot, acacia honey, chamomile, and lanolin, underpinned by beeswax and a mineral flintiness. Secondary notes of almond and brioche hint at its decade-plus of bottle age.

Mouthfeel
Dry (“sec”) yet textured, with a medium+ body, bright acidity still intact, and a long, savory finish. The balance between freshness and maturity is remarkable, showing both vitality and evolution.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented in oak and matured patiently, with low yields from old vines contributing depth and concentration. Loire Chenin’s natural high acidity is what makes wines like this so age-defiant.

Food Pairing
Perfect alongside roasted chicken with herbs, veal in cream sauce, or rich seafood like lobster and scallops. A natural match also for aged goat cheese (think Valençay or Crottin de Chavignol).

Verdict
A stunning example of aged Loire Chenin Blanc: vibrant, layered, and endlessly complex. Proof of why Anjou and Loire whites belong among the world’s most cellar-worthy wines. — 9 months ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.4

The 2019 Pinot Noir Elliott is a deep, dense wine, but always within the context of the Ceritas Pinots. There’s real depth and gravitas here, tempered by a style that seeks finesse more than power. Small clusters and small berries on a site rich in blue schist and quartz yield a distinctive Pinot built on resonance and power. Clean mineral notes support the bracing finish. The 60% whole clusters are very nicely balanced. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, June 2022)
— 4 years ago

Adam Beasley

9.2

Candied yellow fruits on the nose with a slatey minerality. Super dry on the palate with underripe tropical fruit and vanilla cream. Lots of tension and energy. These guys just make killer wine. — 6 years ago

Sergio Licea

9.3

Yellow pears, green apples, lanolin, peanut shells, white flowers, almonds. Rounded acidity, medium bodied, juicy-oily texture, long orchard, honeysuckle finish. From younger vines on schist, tension between lightness and hints of richness, gorgeous weight, long mineral driven finish. Truly a special domaine. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

The 2009 Clos Abella from Marco Abella won Wine in China Magazine's 2014 blind tasting of more than 1,000 wines, which was chosen by a panel that included 7 Masters of Wine and Jancis Robinson.

50% Carignan, 39% Garnacha, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon from Porrera in Priorat. Potently dark aromatics of creosote, espresso, charcoal, blackberry, licorice and schist. Everything translates through to the palate adding some secondary dark chocolate, raspberry, and baking spice, along with a floral overtone. — 8 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

This wine is in such a good spot right now. Garnet in the glass with a near-opaque rim. On the nose it’s like smelling a fistful of rich, moist clay; loads of damp earth, moist moss, cowhide leather, sweet tobacco, clove, and cherries. On the palate silky and smooth with nice acidity to make such a rustic expression seem youthful. Thankful I have others stashed away. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Really great value in a straightforward, honest, balanced Grenache. It’s grown within the Faugeres appellation but can’t claim the AOC apparently because it’s from deep sandy soils and not schist. No matter! Rayas grows Grenache in sand so there’s great precedent! Nose shows sappy kirsch-y fruit, lots of savory, mineral notes, and a touch of vanilla and spice. Soft and light-footed in the mouth. Quite dry, savory, and saline. Very soft tannin. Alcohol is relatively low at a stated 13.5. Drinking well now, it will certainly last a year or two longer, though I don’t think it will improve. I love wines like this. So food flexible. — 3 years ago

Barberry Garden

9.0

Almost 3 years ago, I was looking at the bottle of Fistful of Flowers and considered buying it. I was hesitant. Not least because of excessive sediment flocks swimming in the bottle. And once I decided to give it a try, it was already out of stock.

Today I completed my gestalt with a different vintage. And actually, I am glad that I tasted 2020 because even Fistful of Flowers needs some time to settle down and become more cohesive.

Interesting blend of Vermentino and Moscato Giallo. The aroma like butterflies bursts from the glass and fills the room with its gifts. Field flowers, honey, ripe peach, cinnamon, cardamon, candied orange peel. All that with a nice musk touch that is more prevalent in the aftertaste. It is well-balanced, fresh and flavourful. My favourite part is the salty-musky finish. Overall, it’s definitely good. Maybe it’s a little bit too bright or even vulgar, but it has some charm.

— 4 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.0

Aromatic, mineral, spicy with ripe, honeyed apricots plus a fistful of dried, salty herbs. Precise & pure in the palate with brilliant, juicy acidity, just the right amount of fruit and beautiful minerality.
Brilliant stuff for 12€. Unbeatable price/quality ratio. — 6 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Rich crimson in colour. Ultra savoury on nose and palate - lacking the fruit it had a few years ago - still with M+ acidity and M- Tannins. Aromas of rose petals, earth and gravel. Have loved the Mencia grape from the first time I tasted it. It has the ability to produce flavoursome dry reds from old low yielding hillside plots on poor schist dominated soils. One of the 1001 Wines. — 7 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.5

Achingly pure, filigreed and delineated...not the words you associate with Roussillon wine. But old vines, careful bio viticulture and the daring to harvest at the precise arrival of ripeness (13%) make for a modern-day version of iron fist in velvet glove. And on top of all that, the Catalan qualities shine through more and more with each successive vintage. Fraises, bramble, confits of tiny red fruits and the persistent haunt of black, low pH schist. Extraordinary. #rocdesanges #grenache #carignane #roussillon #catalonia — 8 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Successful comedy show performance calls for solid wine. And I love Ravenswood. I reviewed the lower price point recently and to be truthful I love both for different reasons. This wine is a rather boozy and also acidic with medium tannins so actually think it could use a couple more years—maybe. It is so much dried cherry, dried vanilla bean and a fistful of earth. — 8 years ago