Clusel Roch Domaine

This was our first foray into artisanal, local Cote Rotie in Ampui. It was a 5 min. walk from our B&B to Clusel Roch.
We stayed at La Gerine B&B (the BEST B&B we have ever stayed in on any continent). Look it up on TripAdvisor… Nine, the owner recommended that we visit Clusel Roch (she is well connected, her B&B is literally on the Cote Rotie slopes and she makes calls and connections for those who stay with her).
We tasted with Brigitte — she and her husband run the vineyards. The vineyards have been passed down over many generations. She was telling us stories about the War and how their vines survived it…
Spouse and I were SHOCKED when we tried the Cote Roties, so much more subtle than the Warehouse Wines $ 15 bottle that we were introduced to in NYC. PLUS, wine is not a bougie exotic foray for the French, so their bottles are reasonably priced (compared to Napa — where you want to run away from the unearned pretension).
We ended up getting their Classique cote rotie AND their show stopper — Les Grandes Places Cote Rotie.
We later learned via Nine that only 4 winemakers can grow on Les Grandes Places, it’s situated on the steepest slope, is very old and very prestigious in those parts. Apparently the wine will open in ways we can’t even fathom right now. Too bad we won’t know until say 2020, hahaha.
Anyways, I highly recommend a visit to Clusel Roch. They will take you to their caves, provide you with really interesting history and their winery is just beautiful.