René Rostaing is known for his stellar Côte-Rôtie, due in part to the old-vine vineyards he inherited from his father-in-law, Albert Dervieux-Thaize, and uncle Marius Gentaz-Dervieux.
While Côte-Rôtie by definition is expensive, Rostaing's "Les Lézardes" Syrah, made from old vines adjacent to Côte-Rôtie, offers great value. The grapes may not boast that heady appellation, but they deliver an enchanting Syrah. Unmistakably northern Rhone, the 2009 "Les Lézardes" is rich and spicy, tasting of wild plums and carrying the scent of sun-baked herbs from the steep hillsides.
