I want to try a good bottle from Côte Rôtie, and I’d like to spend roughly $50 to do it. Anyone have a tried-and-tested, go-to CR they want to recommend that won’t destroy my relatively meager wine budget (if possible)? Cheers!
I’ve been able to get the '10 and '14 Levet - Chavarouche for $50 and under recently, but it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea as a young wine. It has bracing acidity and is meant to age.
I can’t think of anything else at that price point.
My bargain is Domaine des Rosiers Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Drevon:
25 plots across 5 sites, northern sector, 70% 1940-1970s Syrah from Rozier, plus 25% Côte Baudin (1982), 5% Fongeant (1977), includes 2-4% Viognier, 80% destemmed, 3 week vinification, 50% submerged cap, pumping overs, light cap punching, 1 part vat emptying/refilling, assembled after the malo in steel vat, aged 25% new, 75% 2-3 year 228-litre oak casks 18 months (until early 2000s was used barrels 6 months, then 25% new, 75% used oak casks 6-8 months), fined, filtered, called Drevon in mid-2010s, Classique before then, 13,200-35,000 b
That’s great to have that list, Josh. Sadly, it’s not much help finding a $50 C-R. I checked W-S for the first five. The '15s aren’t showing there for most producers, so these prices below are the lowest for other recent, less hyped years.
Xavier Gerard’s Cote-Rotie can be had for about $50 and it is excellent and has recently acquired a number of Berkerker fanboys. Cedric Parpette makes very good if modernish (very ripe) Cote-Rotie under $50. I’ve only had one vintage of Champet but it was totally classic. I’ve wanted to try Chambeyron, Domaine des Rosiers, and Pichon. I have been underwhelmed by Jasmin. I see some of Kermit Lynch’s Cote-Roties (Barruol Lynch) offered below $50, those would be tempting. I would avoid Pichat, way too modern.
I would not recommend Levet at all. I happen to love it, but it can be a rather pungent wine that does not appeal to others. Take Alan Rath, for example. He’s a Rhone buff but does not love Levet.
I would second the recommendation on Xavier, especially in 2015. It’s a rather ripe wine without being too OTT. It would likely be more appealing as one ventures into this great little region of the world.
Cote Rotie often seems to be one extreme or the other - modern and glossy or lean and mean - at least in terms of what people talk about. I tend to gravitate towards the middle ground for Syrah. What producers do folks recommend for something that has some fruit, without being too grapey and polished?
Domaine Rostaing “Ampodium” (the classic cuvee) 2015 should be available below 50 (ex tax) and is a textbook Cote-Rotie …
The vineyard bottlings (Cote blonde, La Landonne, Cote brune) are much more expensive …
I would not recommend Levet or Burgaud for a “beginner” - too traditional and rustic in the youth …