Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninmedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oakbarrel aged

Drinking window

Best 6 to 20 years from vintage.
vintage6 yrs20 yrs22 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Floral And Peppery finish

What it pairs with

  • Roast guinea fowl with herbs
    The wine's elegance and floral character pair beautifully with mild poultry.
  • Lamb rack with rosemary
    Aromatic herb-crusted lamb is complemented by the wine's floral lift.
  • Salmon en croute
    The wine's elegance and co-fermented Viognier aromas work with pastry-encased salmon.

How to serve Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Roast guinea fowl with herbs, Lamb rack with rosemary, Salmon en croute. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Cote Blonde parcels of Rostaing include the historic Vialliere site. The wine contrasts La Landonne's power with elegance and aromatics from the mica-rich gneiss terroir.

  1. 1971: Rostaing begins producing Cote Blonde separately from the lighter-soil parcels

Facts

Producer
Rene Rostaing · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (92%), Viognier (8%)
Classification
Cote-Rotie AOC
Oak
18 months in used French oak barriques
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 80-130 at retail
Drinking window
6-20 from vintage
First vintage
1971

Frequently asked about Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde

What does Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde taste like?

Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long, floral and peppery finish.

When should I drink Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde?

Drink 6-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde?

Roast guinea fowl with herbs is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Lamb rack with rosemary and Salmon en croute. The wine's elegance and floral character pair beautifully with mild poultry.

What grapes are in Cote-Rotie Cote Blonde?

The blend is Syrah (92%), Viognier (8%). The wine is classified as Cote-Rotie AOC.

Tags

cellar worthy dry full body high acid iconic medium tannin mood elegant mood romantic occasion dinner party occasion special old world pairs with poultry pairs with red meat price fine single vineyard still red syrah viognier

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Rhone Valley

Romans and Wine

Guided tour5 hours4.7 from 7 reviewsfrom €105

Discover two of the best preserved Roman monuments in the world: The Roman Theatre of Orange and the Aqueduct of the Pont du Gard (UNESCO Sites) and enjoy a wine tasti...

Check dates and book

See all 620 bookable experiences in Rhone Valley

← Back to wines in Rhone Valley