Côte Rôtie

France · AOC · Rhône Valley

Styles

Natural factors

Vineyard on very steep hillsides, on the right bank of the Rhône, spanning 3 communes in the Rhône department: Ampuis, Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, and Tupin-Semons.
Côte Blonde: pale sandy-clay soils (known as 'arzel'), very friable, held in place by dry-stone retaining walls called 'cheys'.
Côte Brune: darker, more stable clay soils, shaped into narrow staircase-like terraces known as 'chaillées' to support the vines.
Semi-continental climate of the 'Lyonnais' type, with Mediterranean influences rising up the valley and frequent northerly winds known as the 'Bise'.
The vineyard's general south-easterly aspect gives it a sheltered, sun-drenched position.

Human factors

Syrah, known locally as 'sérine', is the DNA of this vineyard; its Rhône Valley origins have been confirmed by DNA testing (varieties mondeuse B and dureza N). (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

Product characteristics

Deep-colored robe evolving toward garnet; nose of black fruits, spice, and violet (when viognier is present), giving way to smoky notes and candied fruit with age.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.