2004 Rene Rostaing Coteaux du Languedoc "Puech Chaud"

[TheEngineer]

I was surprised by this wine, very elegant, concentrated but restrainted, subtle and so well put together.

Dark purple garnet in color, restained nose, somewhat floral, deep berries, perfumey but not overly so. Classically structure with good tannin level and acidity. Very balanced even though purchased recently (not sure if it just got off the boat), slightly hot at the end but only ever so. Decent buy at $26.

[Bucko]

Thanks for the note -- I'll have to check this one out.

[TheEngineer]

If you do, I would appreciate hearing what you thought of it. Developing palates still miss the mark often!

[wondersofwine]

I've been impressed by the Rostaing Condrieu La Bonnette but haven't had the red wines. I see La Bonnette now sells for as much as $75 a bottle. I think I paid less than $50 the last time I purchased it. (Also, Wine Doctor found it a bit confected and not the traditional style he prefers but to me it remains the best Viognier I've had to date.

[TheEngineer]

I've liked his Cote Roties in the past so I thought that I would try his lesser offerings. This is one of two that he has around $25. The Cote Roties are pretty good but this year they started at $65 and then the Lalande and the blonde are about $110 and $135.

[wondersofwine]

"The Cote Roties are pretty good but this year they started at $65 and then the Lalande and the blonde are about $110 and $135."

Yikes!