Domaine René Rostaing - Côte Rôtie - La Viaillère 2022
The 2022 La Viaillère from Domaine René Rostaing vividly and precisely illustrates the noble character of this emblematic Côte-Rôtie hillside. The deep ruby robe brightens with garnet reflections, announcing a wine that is both concentrated and refined. The nose opens with a dark and subtle aromatic profile, blending blackcurrant, wild blackberry, and black cherry, accented by notes of violet, peony, and a hint of black pepper. Nuances of light smoke, graphite, and warm earth already signal the mineral dimension of the named vineyard. The palate, ample from the attack, reveals ripe but perfectly contained fruit, supported by a linear freshness that structures the whole. The tannins, tight yet very fine, envelop the material with precision. The finish, long and deep, combines soft spices, dark fruits, and a touch of black olive that extends the northern signature of Syrah.
Upon aeration, the 2022 La Viaillère reveals growing complexity, showing nuances of licorice, dried rose, tapenade, delicate smoke, and warm stone typical of mica-schist soils. The wine gains verticality while maintaining a satiny texture that softens the vintage's density. The measured and perfectly integrated aging refines the material without ever imposing the presence of wood, respecting the noble character of the parcel. The slender, almost aristocratic profile illustrates the Rostaing style: precise vinification, ideal maturity, gentle extraction to preserve finesse and balance. The palate remains clear, vibrant, with a mineral tension that highlights the fruit and reinforces the elongated dimension of this cuvée. Each sip tells the depth of the named vineyard and the estate's mastery in interpreting the Côte-Rôtie terroirs.
The 2022 La Viaillère is a wine of great gastronomy, perfectly suited to noble and refined dishes. It will ideally accompany a roasted beef fillet, milk-fed lamb, pink pigeon, or veal cutlets with mushrooms. Its floral elegance and tannic precision also make it a superb companion for crafted plant-based cuisine, centered around roasted vegetables, mushrooms, or herb-scented grains. Young, the wine benefits from decanting to reveal its complex bouquet and slightly soften its structure. Over the years, it will develop aromas of undergrowth, fine leather, truffle, and candied dark fruits, while retaining its fresh backbone and natural finesse. The 2022 La Viaillère embodies the most upright and mineral facet of Côte-Rôtie: a deep, energetic red of sovereign elegance, perfectly faithful to the signature of Domaine René Rostaing.
Grape variety: Syrah
