Niero, Cote Rotie 2004
Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Niero, Cote Rotie 2004
Tasted March 2009
I was chatting to a customer about this wine for quite some time last Friday (yes that's you Simon!) so much so that I decided I just had to take it home at the weekend to try it again. Cote Rotie is, for me, one of the most exciting red wine appellations in France. Situated in the far North of Northern Rhone it's an area well known for its Syrah/Viognier blends. Cote Rotie literally means 'roasted slope' this is because the South facing slopes are exposed to maximum sunlight. The main grape here is Syrah although up to 20% Viognier can be used in a Cote Rotie blend. As you may have heard I am a huge fan of this style of wine so this tasting note was a true pleasure. |  |
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Grapes: Syrah/can't pin down exactly how much Viognier is in this but normally he uses around 10%
Region: Cote Rotie, Northern Rhone, France.
Winemaking: Small vineyard holding, insecticides are never used, and the minimal intervention policy in the vineyard. I can't find a huge amount out about the finer details of the winemaking but my guess would be that it's low intervention right through the process.
ABV: 13%
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Tasting Note
This is much more elegant than I anticipated, although I think this is very much in keeping with Robert Niero's style. It's from 2004 vintage so has had a bit of time to develop; it's smooth with great structure and balance. Lots of bramble fruits, spice, vanilla and the Viognier adds a real perfumed character to it.
Cellaring
2004 was a good vintage. I think it's drinking well now, a few more years left in it for sure, but it's definitely softened out and is rather splendid
If you like this, why not try,.. Now this isn't cheap so if you fancy something more affordable, have a look at our new Logan, Weemala Shiraz/Viognier - a new world version of this style of wine.
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Online Catalogue | Sipped and Savoured | Niero, Cote Rotie 2004
