2012 Côte-Rôtie, Ampodium, Domaine René Rostaing, Rhône

Starting with Rene's classic Cote Rotie, the 2012 Cote Rotie Ampodium is a mostly destemmed blend from Rene's 13 different terroirs. It's aged in a combination of demi-muid and older barrels, with just 5% being new. It's smoking base cuvee that does everything right, offering up tons of sweet blackberry, wild herbs, pepper, spice and olive aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, beautifully textured and with impressive concentration, all while staying classic and elegant, it's a no-brainer purchase and will have 15-20 years of longevity.

Inviting and slightly stemmy dark fruit. Fragrant herbal note that some might not like but I find it more fragrant than herbaceous. Very Rostaing. Charming.