Rôtie is our Homage to Cote-Rôtie, the famous Northern Rhone AOC, famous for its traditional co-fermentation of Syrah and Viognier. Our Rôtie consists of 93% Syrah and 7% Viognier. Syrah can be a very powerful grape, tempered by the Viognier. Our Rôtie is soft and elegant with gorgeous floral aromatics.
Vineyard Notes
The ancient seabed of the San Pablo Bay is mineral-rich, with clay soils that define La Cruz Vineyard. This site is located in the lower portion of the property and is sheltered more from the wind. Typical to this vineyard is a bright acidity and signature spice notes. On this site, we have the Syrah clones Noir, Alban, and 877. Additionally, we have two single rows of Viognier picked alongside the Syrah for co-fermentation.
Specs
Varietal Blend: 93% Syrah, 7% Viognier
Appellation: Petaluma Gap
Alcohol 14%
What’s Included
4-bottles:
4x 2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine, Petaluma Gap Case:
12x 2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine, Petaluma Gap
Our mission is to share the passing of time through our family’s vineyard.
Arturo Keller and his wife, Deborah, first fell in love with the site while driving a vintage car through the meandering Sonoma roads, and selected the property for its potential as a site for a world-class vineyard. Clearly, the property’s beauty, setting, and history influenced our decision to make it our home.
In 1989, we planted the first Chardonnay vines, and La Cruz vineyard was born. Our first vintage was sold to Rombauer Vineyards, who rapidly became excited with the potential of the site, giving us confidence in our fruit. By 1999, we planted a few acres of Pinot Noir and recognized the potential to make our own exceptional wines. In 2000, the Keller Estate label became a reality. Shortly after, in collaboration with the prestigious Mexican firm of Legorreta+Legorreta, we designed and built our stunning and functional winery, designed specifically for gravity-flow winemaking.
Ana Keller, Arturo’s daughter, and a biochemist by training, joined the team eager to create the most exquisite wines from the Estate’s vineyards. With Arturo’s constant vision and encouragement, Ana’s passion has established Keller Estate as a benchmark for producing some of the best wines on the Sonoma Coast. Her passion and dedication have been instrumental in establishing Petaluma Gap AVA and promoting the wines of this region worldwide.
We invite you to visit us and share our passion.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine - $70 = 25.92%
Happy Fish Fryday…that would be the standard order of Frydayed haddock with French Frydays? (ok, I admit, I’m behind and the machine is still warming up)…it’s a quiet sphere…
Wine Spectator:
86 points. Sinewy and taut, with modest cherry and savory spice flavors framed by grippy tannins. Syrah and Viognier. Best after 2024. 265 cases made. Tim Fish February 5, 2024
Possibly an insight into drinking window, from the Keller website, which is offering a 4 year vertical of Rotie '19 thru '22 for $140:
2020 Rotie. “Savory spice flavors framed by defined taninins. Best after 2024. Time to open this one.”
Producer seems to have a little more enthusiasm for the other 3 vintages here
Producer also mentions a 92 point Jeb Dunnuck review but if there is, it isn’t on his website. They’ve reviewed quite a few Keller wines, but it doesn’t appear this is one of them
Always love the opportunity to rat, especially to kick off the weekend a bit early!
On opening, nose is blackberry and maybe some cherry. Rich in color, almost crimson with noticeable clarity at the edge of the glass.
Body is smooth, some spice warmth, holds as Syrah well even if it is ‘thinned’ by the Viognier—it is noticeably lighter, than I expected, in a very nice way.
Notes of dark chocolate, easy finish.
After decanting in the bottle for an hour, the wine has relaxed nicely. Cherry and chocolate continue to come well on the nose and tongue, as well as some red fruit. There’s also something rock? stone? on the nose. Not sure what that is yet… I would say medium tannins? There is a soft mouthfeel while still carrying some structure expected from the body of Syrah. The peppery finish lingers only for a few moments.
Throughout the evening, this wine continues be easy drinking. Bits more of cocoa, cherry, tobacco all flowing around. Also more black pepper, though it never seems to stay long. Structure continues to demonstrate Syrah with the “summer bod” provided by the Viognier add-in. Low-level spice is pleasant, even when it’s a million degrees outside at 10 pm.
I think we’re just starting to hit the prime drinking window for this vintage, and can see this wine easily holding well for the next 4-5 years, probably longer with proper storage.
Trying to identify that otherwise unknown aroma from earlier (one that has dissipated almost completely by the two hour mark, making me search it out elsewhere instead of continuing to sample) I had to go to the web to see if it was just me, or if anyone else experienced the same. A user on Cellar Tracker nailed it—modeling clay. Something earthy & a hint of mineral. Not off-putting at all, but it’s been a lot of years since childhood when that smell was a regular part of my life!
Planning to hold the rest of this bottle for Friday night pizza night and report back with any updates or insights worth sharing.
Thanks as always to WD, Matt, Keller Estate & the Casemates Community for the opportunity to participate.
Back at it for night two–the rest of the bottle won’t make it until the pizzas are prepped, let alone out of the oven.
Quick roundup for the second tasting: nose is cherry and licorice, with flavors that match. A hint of the cocoa lingers, and a bit of dark fruit as well…
Light, with just enough structure to know that it’s there, case price beats most alternatives in this range.
Agree fully with @neilfindswine that this bottle appreciated a day to fully unwind. If only we all had an extra day to just relax and enjoy the summer, right?
Thanks again for the opportunity and your attention!
…earlier this week I found a bottle of 2020 Keller Estate Rôtie on my porch (and the UPS man waiting for my autograph).
I’ve enjoyed Pinot noir from Keller in the past (and driven by their estate hundreds of times when 37 had traffic issues), but I don’t think I’ve ever had this wine, so I was excited to try it.
I love a Côte Rôtie style Syrah, and, according to the Keller website this one has a 7% Viognier co-ferment, with all of the fruit coming from their estate.
I popped and poured this one… The wine is an intense, dark purple color. The nose is a little quiet, but digging my nose in the glass revealed aromas of cherry, kir/currant and a tiny whiff of baking spice.
On the palate, flavors of tart cherry dominate, with notes of pepper and spice underneath. The Viognier definitely lifts this wine; it’s light and easy drinking. It finishes quickly. For me, wine is defined by its firm (and a bit leathery) tannins. It’s tight, and wants some time to unwind. So I saved half the bottle for a Day 2 revisit.
Thursday night: 24 hours in, the bottle has definitely softened up some. The cherry flavor is less tart tonight and the tannins are more integrated.
Tannins aside, this is a lighter Syrah than many. It’s a summer-time Syrah. Think charcuterie and lighter meat dishes rather than the traditional heavier meat/lamb pairing. And an hour in the decanter should tame those tannins.
Edit: Now that I see the price, I’m nodding in approval! Thank you WineDavid for thinking of your ex-pat down South!!!
My first experience with the Keller Estate Rôtie was, I’m pretty sure, Costco at least 15, maybe 20 years ago. I remember enjoying it very much. The Costco price then was relatively close to the Casemates case price today IIRC, so there’s a price endorsement.
Looks a great offer at a great price but unfortunately have too much red wine including plenty of syrah based wine at the moment - otherwise would have been in for a case!
2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine, Petaluma Gap
Tasting Notes
Vineyard Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$780.00/Case for 12x 2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine, Petaluma Gap at Keller Estate
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Aug 18 - Tuesday, Aug 19
2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine
4 bottles for $89.99 $22.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Keller Estate Rôtie Red Wine - $70 = 25.92%
Happy Fish Fryday…that would be the standard order of Frydayed haddock with French Frydays? (ok, I admit, I’m behind and the machine is still warming up)…it’s a quiet sphere…
Wine Spectator:
86 points. Sinewy and taut, with modest cherry and savory spice flavors framed by grippy tannins. Syrah and Viognier. Best after 2024. 265 cases made. Tim Fish February 5, 2024
Possibly an insight into drinking window, from the Keller website, which is offering a 4 year vertical of Rotie '19 thru '22 for $140:
2020 Rotie. “Savory spice flavors framed by defined taninins. Best after 2024. Time to open this one.”
Producer seems to have a little more enthusiasm for the other 3 vintages here
Producer also mentions a 92 point Jeb Dunnuck review but if there is, it isn’t on his website. They’ve reviewed quite a few Keller wines, but it doesn’t appear this is one of them
fwiw
2020 Keller Estate Rôtie
TLDR; Good Wine at a very reasonable price.
Always love the opportunity to rat, especially to kick off the weekend a bit early!
On opening, nose is blackberry and maybe some cherry. Rich in color, almost crimson with noticeable clarity at the edge of the glass.
Body is smooth, some spice warmth, holds as Syrah well even if it is ‘thinned’ by the Viognier—it is noticeably lighter, than I expected, in a very nice way.
Notes of dark chocolate, easy finish.
After decanting in the bottle for an hour, the wine has relaxed nicely. Cherry and chocolate continue to come well on the nose and tongue, as well as some red fruit. There’s also something rock? stone? on the nose. Not sure what that is yet… I would say medium tannins? There is a soft mouthfeel while still carrying some structure expected from the body of Syrah. The peppery finish lingers only for a few moments.
Throughout the evening, this wine continues be easy drinking. Bits more of cocoa, cherry, tobacco all flowing around. Also more black pepper, though it never seems to stay long. Structure continues to demonstrate Syrah with the “summer bod” provided by the Viognier add-in. Low-level spice is pleasant, even when it’s a million degrees outside at 10 pm.
I think we’re just starting to hit the prime drinking window for this vintage, and can see this wine easily holding well for the next 4-5 years, probably longer with proper storage.
Trying to identify that otherwise unknown aroma from earlier (one that has dissipated almost completely by the two hour mark, making me search it out elsewhere instead of continuing to sample) I had to go to the web to see if it was just me, or if anyone else experienced the same. A user on Cellar Tracker nailed it—modeling clay. Something earthy & a hint of mineral. Not off-putting at all, but it’s been a lot of years since childhood when that smell was a regular part of my life!
Planning to hold the rest of this bottle for Friday night pizza night and report back with any updates or insights worth sharing.
Thanks as always to WD, Matt, Keller Estate & the Casemates Community for the opportunity to participate.
Cheers, all!
@Aureliano
Back at it for night two–the rest of the bottle won’t make it until the pizzas are prepped, let alone out of the oven.
Quick roundup for the second tasting: nose is cherry and licorice, with flavors that match. A hint of the cocoa lingers, and a bit of dark fruit as well…
Light, with just enough structure to know that it’s there, case price beats most alternatives in this range.
Agree fully with @neilfindswine that this bottle appreciated a day to fully unwind. If only we all had an extra day to just relax and enjoy the summer, right?
Thanks again for the opportunity and your attention!
NeilFindsWine reporting for duty!
…earlier this week I found a bottle of 2020 Keller Estate Rôtie on my porch (and the UPS man waiting for my autograph).
I’ve enjoyed Pinot noir from Keller in the past (and driven by their estate hundreds of times when 37 had traffic issues), but I don’t think I’ve ever had this wine, so I was excited to try it.
I love a Côte Rôtie style Syrah, and, according to the Keller website this one has a 7% Viognier co-ferment, with all of the fruit coming from their estate.
I popped and poured this one… The wine is an intense, dark purple color. The nose is a little quiet, but digging my nose in the glass revealed aromas of cherry, kir/currant and a tiny whiff of baking spice.
On the palate, flavors of tart cherry dominate, with notes of pepper and spice underneath. The Viognier definitely lifts this wine; it’s light and easy drinking. It finishes quickly. For me, wine is defined by its firm (and a bit leathery) tannins. It’s tight, and wants some time to unwind. So I saved half the bottle for a Day 2 revisit.
Thursday night: 24 hours in, the bottle has definitely softened up some. The cherry flavor is less tart tonight and the tannins are more integrated.
Tannins aside, this is a lighter Syrah than many. It’s a summer-time Syrah. Think charcuterie and lighter meat dishes rather than the traditional heavier meat/lamb pairing. And an hour in the decanter should tame those tannins.
Edit: Now that I see the price, I’m nodding in approval! Thank you WineDavid for thinking of your ex-pat down South!!!
My husband came home with two bottles of the 2019 from a work trip so this was a no brainer!
My first experience with the Keller Estate Rôtie was, I’m pretty sure, Costco at least 15, maybe 20 years ago. I remember enjoying it very much. The Costco price then was relatively close to the Casemates case price today IIRC, so there’s a price endorsement.
Not Keller’s first rodeo with Casemates:
April 2, 2018
2011-2012-2013 Vertical
June 12, 2019
2013-2014-2015 Vertical
Pricing similar to the 2019 offer, better than the 2018 offer. There may have been others?
Looks a great offer at a great price but unfortunately have too much red wine including plenty of syrah based wine at the moment - otherwise would have been in for a case!
Well, that’s it, so much for my moratorium on more wine purchases. Keller makes some excellent wines, and this is one of them. I’m in.
And, thanks Casemates for the new Summer hold option!