WTN: 2003 Rostaing Les Lezardes Syrah

[Jenise]

2003 Rene Rostaing "Les Lezardes" Syrah
Ampuis, France

Otto would love this one! Initial nose of carrot tops, rosemary and pepper, with a pretty lavendar thing that wafts in eventually. Good acidity keeps it light (you think to yourself, "THIS is an 03?"), and on the palate there's the pure French syrah flavors of raspberry, pepper, herbs, and iron minerality. Alcohol only 12.5%. A fantastic food wine that went superbly with our cilantro-garlic-red bell pepper laden Portugese pork stew and drank well after dinner, too. Retails in the $30's but I got a case for about $6 a bottle. I am a lucky lucky girl!!!

[David M. Bueker]

That's a Florida Jim-type deal!

[Jenise]

I know--back up the truck!

Yes, what a deal.

Just curious what the appellation is on the wine?

Rahsaan, don't think there is an appellation. Vin de table. Is the vintage visible? Thought they couldn't show that on non-appellation wines. But I was told on earlier vintage it was non-AOC wine but near Cote Rotie.

[Jenise]

Dale, yes, the vintage date "2003" is top and center on the front label. Rahsaan, the label additionally has "Vin de Pays" over "des collines Rhodanniennes".

Dale, is that a new avator? Look young there man!!!

It must have become VdP in 2003. Older ones were definitely vin de table, no vintage (it usually was on back label and stamped on cork). If you look at Cellartracker you can see old label:

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=184927

Vin de Pays des collines Rhodanniennes is the designation for my favorite non-AOC Syrah, the Ogier la Rosine.

Wonder if the white Lezardes (supposedly outside Condrieu, like this is outside C-R) also became a VdP?

Bob, the picture is from last year. Betsy saw folks using their dog as avatar elsewhere, and pointedly asked me where was Lucy. That's Lucy getting first prize for obedience at a Basset rescue event (really ridiculous, she's probably in bottom 10% of dogdom in obedience, but as Bassets are stubborn, only about 5 entered, and Lucy will do any trick as long as you have treats in your hand).

Good for Lucy! Love these hounds.
I have a border collie here at Doris Ranch who just loves catching corks (like a frisbee), has not swallowed one yet thank goodness. LOL.

2003 Rene Rostaing "Les Lezardes" Syrah
Ampuis, France

Otto would love this one! Very herbal nose [...]

Well, that usually does the trick for me! Good to hear that such a Europewide bad vintage (for my tastes) did produce a few decent wines.

[Jenise]

Otto, it's a very surprising wine considering the vintage, which is why I made a point of checking the alcohol before I bought it and including that number in my TN. And of course, that's why it languished at auction--it wasn't Californicated enough for the pointy people.

[Jenise]

Vin de Pays des collines Rhodanniennes is the designation for my favorite non-AOC Syrah, the Ogier la Rosine.

Ah!!! No wonder I was loving it. I don't have the familiarity with Northern Rhones to have a fave non-AOC wine, but I adore the Rosine. This wine had that same kind of purity.

"Vin de Pays" over "des collines Rhodanniennes".

Aha. Thanks.

But it normally retails for $30. Ouch. Unless this is some special tricked up cuvee (which it doesn't sound like it is) I imagine it sells for less than 10 euros in France.

Global markets are not working in the favor of American wine consumers on this one.

But still, glad you got a bunch at $6. I don't have much experience with Rostaing but will keep my eyes open.

[Jenise]

But still, glad you got a bunch at $6. I don't have much experience with Rostaing but will keep my eyes open.

Definitely one you'd appreciate, Rahsaan.

But it normally retails for $30. Ouch. Unless this is some special tricked up cuvee (which it doesn't sound like it is) I imagine it sells for less than 10 euros in France.

Global markets are not working in the favor of American wine consumers on this one.

Maybe ex-cellar in Rhone. But several English retailers have it, at £12 to 16 ($24-32), same or a tad more than US. Sonot just US issue

Nice deal! The '04's are out as well so you can try a mini vertical.

But several English retailers have it, at £12 to 16 ($24-32), same or a tad more than US. Sonot just US issue

Yes indeed. Good point.