Domaine Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie Rhone Wine Complete Guide

Learn everything about Michel and Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property and information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and winemakers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

Domaine Michel and Stephane Ogier History, Overview

Domaine Michel Ogier, which is the name the estate was previously known as does not really have a long history in the Cote Rotie appellation.

They started out slowly, buying vines and selling their harvest. Their initial purchases were their Lancement holdings and vines planted on Cote Rozier. Until 1982, the wines were sold to negociants. Their two biggest customers were Guigal and Chapoutier. From that point forward, they began to build their brand.

Believe it or not, the Ogier family was making more money growing fruit in those days! By 1987, they were bottling and selling their entire harvest. From that point forward, they never looked back!

In 1998, the name of the domaine was changed to Michel & Stephane Ogier, announcing the arrival and participation of Stephane Ogier, who joined his father in the family business. Before devoting himself to the estate full-time, Stephane Ogier spent time learning about wine by working in Beaune and South Africa.

In 2003, they completely renovated their cellars and added new, temperature controlled, fermentation vats.

Domaine Michel & Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie, like many Cote Rotie properties, is a completely family run estate. Today, Stephane Ogier is responsible for many of the domaine’s decisions to produce Ogier Cote Rotie.

Under his watch, this northern Rhone wine property introduced several new cuvee’s including Ogier Lancement and Ogier Embruns, and he’s also shepherded Ogier Belle Helene to levels of quality and consistency as well.

The wine can be profound. It’s not only a new way of looking at Cote Rotie and launching new wines from his domaine that keeps Stephane Ogier busy, he also finished building a new winery in Ampuis in 2014 just in time for the harvest!

However, Stephane Ogier was still not finished modernizing his winery, as he also completed construction on of the most beautiful tasting rooms in all of Cote Rotie!

Coinciding with the new cellars which were finished in 2014. 2014 marked another change in the name. From that point forward, the wines began selling under the name of Stephane Ogier.

The best vintages for Domaine Michel & Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie are: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1995 and 1991.

Domaine Michel & Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

Ogier Cote Rotie was previously made in a traditional style with no new oak or destemming. Stephane Ogier does not shy away from trying new things or experimenting at the property.

In the new cellars, which are stocked with small, gleaming stainless steel tanks that range in size from 20 to 30 hectoliters, Ogier is truly able to focus on vinifying on a parcel by parcel basis.

Stephane Ogier does not avoid new oak, saying oak adds oxygen to the wine. Generally speaking, they destem an average of 80% of all their grapes. Parcels are vinified separately. But grapes like Syrah and Viognier are co-fermented.

Domaine Stephane Ogier produce a wide array of different Cote Rotie wines.

Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie is the mainstay of their production. The wine is produced from 100% Syrah that comes from about 70% Cote Brune and 30% Cote Blonde fruit.

Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie is aged in 30%, new, French oak barrels with the remainder being 4 years of age. The wine remains in barrel for about 18 months, but that can vary, depending on the strength and character of the vintage. The production is on average, 1,600 cases per vintage.

Stephane Ogier Belle Helene made its debut with the 1995 vintage. At the time the wine was first created, it was originally thought of as an experiment.

Belle Helene takes its name from the wife of Michel Ogier. Belle Helene, which is made from 100% Syrah comes from .5 hectares of vines planted in Cote Rozier, not far from the parcels used by Guigal for their La Landonne.

Ogier Belle Helene is the best parcel of vines on Cote Rozier. Those vines, which are now getting close to 90 years of age were planted by the grandfather of Stephane Ogier. The grapes are 100% whole cluster pressed and is the wine is aged in 50-100% new, French oak barrels depending on the vintage.

The wine remains in the new oak for the initial 12 months of the aging, with the remainder of the aging period taking place in neutral oak barrels. Belle Helene is a small production wine. On average, only about 150 – 200 cases are produced each year.

This is a very suave, stylish Cote Rotie that in 1999, (my favorite Cote Rotie vintage until the 2015, at least so far), is the only wine that comes close to rivaling the La La wines of Guigal!

Stephane Ogier Mon Village was first produced in the 2010 vintage. The wine is made from a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier. The wine is a blend of 6 different vineyards. Most of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged in mostly used oak barrels. The average production is 175 case per vintage.

Stephane Ogier Lancement comes from their old vine Syrah holdings on the Cote Blonde. Lancement is a small production wine, even for Cote Rotie. The grapes are 100% destemmed. The wine is vinified in stainless steel tanks.

The wine used to be aged in an average of 50% new, French oak barrels. Today, there is no new oak used in the aging process that lasts for 20 months. The wine made its debut in 2001. Close to 100 cases are produced each vintage.

Stephane Ogier Cote Blonde made its debut with the 2015 vintage from a parcel of young vines that was purchased in 2008. The vines are in great terroir, close to where Guigal gets some of their fruit for La Mouline. The vines were planted using massal selection.

Most of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged in mostly used oak barrels. The average blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The production is on average only 75 cases, give or take. It’s an extraordinary expression of Cote Rotie.

The good news is that Stephane Ogier just purchased an additional .02 hectares of vines in Cote Blonde, bringing his holdings there to almost .5 hectares, so production will double in the future.

Stephane Ogier Reserve is a new wine that was first produced with the 2012 vintage. The wine is made from a blend of mostly Syrah and some Viognier. The vines are well placed in a myriad of 11 different lieux-dits including Bertholon, Cote Bodin, Champon, Lancement and Vialliere. You can look at the blend as 65% Cote Brune and 35% Cote Blonde.

Stephane Ogier Le Village is a new wine that should be considered their entry level cuvee. Produced from young Syrah vines, with some Viognier, the wine made its debut with the 2014 vintage. Ogier Le Village wine is meant to be enjoyed young.

Stephane Ogier Embruns made its debut in 2001. The wine is made from purchased fruit and aged in 50% new, French oak. Most of the fruit comes from Berthelon, on the peak of Grandes Place, La Vialliere and Montlys Lieux-dits. Only 250 cases are made each year. Embruns is not longer in production. Those grapes are now used for Bertholon, which is placed in the 6 packs.

Stephane Ogier also added several new, single vineyard wines to their growing Cote Rotie portfolio starting with the 2012 vintage. The wines were released as part of a special box set that can include wine from Champon, Bertholon and Cote Bodin. The case production varies from 400, 6 packs to 1,000 6 packs.

Stephane Ogier Cote Bodin is produced from vines planted in the lieu-dit of the same name.

Stephane Ogier Bertholon is made from grapes grown in the Bertholon lieu-dit, which is on the cooler, clay soils found in the northern sector of the Cote Rotie appellation. The vines are old as they were planted in 1972.

Stephane Ogier Fongeant comes from vines placed in the Fongeant vineyard as the name suggests. The lieu-dit is situated just above the Cote Brune lieu-dit. The wine was produced for the first time starting with the 2012 vintage.

Stephane Ogier Vialliere is produced from vines that are on average over 30 years of age that are planted in the Vialliere lieu-dit, which is located just under Les Grandes Places.

The grapes are 100% whole bunch fermented. Vinification takes place in stainless steel.The wine is aged for an average of 20 months in 20% new French oak barrels.

However, it is important to note that wine is only in the new oak for the initial 12 months of aging. From there, all of the wine is aged in neutral barrels. Not much wine is made as the production is on average only 250 cases per year.

Stephane Ogier Montmain takes its name from the lieu-dit Montmain, located next to the famous Les Grandes Places. The grapes for this wine are not destemmed. The wine is aged in only 10% new, French oak barrels.

Stephane Ogier But de Mont is made from grapes that come from the But de Mont vineyard on the Cote Blonde.

Stephane Ogier also produces two wines in Condrieu from 2.1 hectares of vines. He also makes wines in St. Joseph, Cotes du Rhone and produces a Vin de Pays. The Vin de Pays Rosiene, made from 100% Syrah, is one of the true value wines from the region. Ogier La Rosiene is aged in 10% new, French oak barrels for 14 months.

In addition, Stephane Ogier is also working in Seyssuel, located just north of Cote Rotie where he planted Syrah vines in 2001 in a location previously settled by the ancient Romans.

When to Drink Michel & Stephane Ogier, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Michel & Stephane Ogier, when young, should be decanted at least 1-3 hours, give or take, allowing the wines to soften and open their perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Michel & Stephane Ogier is often better with 5-7 years of cellaring and should be at its best between 10-25 years of age.

Serving Michel & Stephane Ogier with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Michel & Stephane Ogier is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Michel & Stephane Ogier is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes, tomatoes, eggplant and sausage. Stephane Ogier is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

Condrieu, the white wine of Ogier is perfect with a myriad of seafood courses, shell fish, crab, lobster, chicken, veal, pork, and even sushi or sashimi.

Stephane Ogier is making some of best, most exciting and hedonistic wines in all of Cote Rotie. Their non stop work ethic, and willingness to go all out to make the best wines possible clearly shows, the moment you pop a cork.

www.stephaneogier.fr

Michel & Stéphane Ogier Wine Tasting Notes

76 Vintages 240,134 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2020
92
Vibrant, lively, fresh, flowers, white peach, and yellow tropical fruits are all over the place here on the nose, and on the lifted palate. Drink from 2022-2026.

Vibrant, lively, fresh, flowers, white peach, and yellow tropical fruits are all over the place here on the nose, and on the lifted palate. Drink from 2022-2026.

1,635 Views   Tasted
2020
90
Olives, smoky cherries, and herbs create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, forward, fresh, and sweet ending with a peppery, vibrancy to the dark red fruits. Drink from 2023-2033.

Olives, smoky cherries, and herbs create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is soft, forward, fresh, and sweet ending with a peppery, vibrancy to the dark red fruits. Drink from 2023-2033.

2,041 Views   Tasted
2019
100
The perfume explodes with its notes of mesquite, flowers, incense, spice box, red, black and blue fruits, smoke, and a touch of tangerine skin at the end. Seductive, silky, elegant and exotic, this is one sexy bottle of wine. But it is also incredibly rich, with a gorgeous purity to the layers of perfectly ripe, deep fruits. The seamless finish carries on for at least 60 seconds. The wine blends 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier. For the aging process, 25% of the wine is aged in new French before being placed in neutral barrels. This is so sensual, you can enjoy it young, but if you age it for a decade, it is going to be a thrilling experience. If this sounds like your style of wine, buy it now as the production is close 1,000 bottles for the entire world. Drink from 2025-2050. 100 Pts

The perfume explodes with its notes of mesquite, flowers, incense, spice box, red, black and blue fruits, smoke, and a touch of tangerine skin at the end. Seductive, silky, elegant and exotic, this is one sexy bottle of wine. But it is also incredibly rich, with a gorgeous purity to the layers of perfectly ripe, deep fruits. The seamless finish carries on for at least 60 seconds. The wine blends 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier. For the aging process, 25% of the wine is aged in new French before being placed in neutral barrels. This is so sensual, you can enjoy it young, but if you age it for a decade, it is going to be a thrilling experience. If this sounds like your style of wine, buy it now as the production is close 1,000 bottles for the entire world. Drink from 2025-2050. 100 Pts

1,860 Views   Tasted
2019
99
Dark in color, the wine displays a smoke-filled perfume packed with spice, black cherries blackberries, flowers, and crushed stone. The wine stains your palate with its layers of ripe, polished, elegant, energetic, vibrant fruits. Full-bodied with a serious depth of flavor, and purity to the fruits, this stunning wine will age for 3 decades with ease. The seamless finish hangs with you for 60 seconds, or longer. The fruit comes from 2 parcels on the Cote Rozier, with one parcel just below La Landonne. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in an average of 15% new, French oak for the first year before being moved to demi-muids for the second year of aging. Drink from 2030-2055.

Dark in color, the wine displays a smoke-filled perfume packed with spice, black cherries blackberries, flowers, and crushed stone. The wine stains your palate with its layers of ripe, polished, elegant, energetic, vibrant fruits. Full-bodied with a serious depth of flavor, and purity to the fruits, this stunning wine will age for 3 decades with ease. The seamless finish hangs with you for 60 seconds, or longer. The fruit comes from 2 parcels on the Cote Rozier, with one parcel just below La Landonne. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in an average of 15% new, French oak for the first year before being moved to demi-muids for the second year of aging. Drink from 2030-2055.

1,652 Views   Tasted
2019
98
Orange citrus peel, flowers, 5 spice, and dark red fruits pop in the nose. The wine on the palate is powerful, yet perfectly balanced. Elegant, long, mouthcoating and fresh, the dark red fruits, with their hints of olives and licorice leave a long, expansive expression on your palate, as the finish really lingers. Some vintages of Lancement do not require much aging. That is not the case here, the wine needs at least a decade or more in the cellar. The terroir is gneiss close to the beginning of the Cote Blonde Plateau. The grapes are completely destemmed and aged in neutral oak barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2029-2055.

Orange citrus peel, flowers, 5 spice, and dark red fruits pop in the nose. The wine on the palate is powerful, yet perfectly balanced. Elegant, long, mouthcoating and fresh, the dark red fruits, with their hints of olives and licorice leave a long, expansive expression on your palate, as the finish really lingers. Some vintages of Lancement do not require much aging. That is not the case here, the wine needs at least a decade or more in the cellar. The terroir is gneiss close to the beginning of the Cote Blonde Plateau. The grapes are completely destemmed and aged in neutral oak barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2029-2055.

1,570 Views   Tasted
2019
97
Inky, and dark in color, the wine is loaded with blackberries, smoke, chocolate, flowers, and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, generous, lush, polished, powerful, and silky, there is ample freshness to the wine on the palate and in the long finish that holds your attention for over 50 seconds. The southeast facing, micha schist terroir is close to Montmain on the slopes. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in neutral barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2050.

Inky, and dark in color, the wine is loaded with blackberries, smoke, chocolate, flowers, and leafy herbs. Full-bodied, generous, lush, polished, powerful, and silky, there is ample freshness to the wine on the palate and in the long finish that holds your attention for over 50 seconds. The southeast facing, micha schist terroir is close to Montmain on the slopes. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in neutral barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2050.

1,454 Views   Tasted
2019
96
Dark chocolate and cherries hit all the right notes. There is a lot of lift to the fruit, yet the berries remain dark, peppery, and floral. The tannins are equally elegant, giving you a refined, fresh, and concentrated wine. The fruit comes from vines planted on the Cote Brune, in one of the highest levels of elevation, close to Les Grands Places. Here you find a lot of clay in the soil, which adds a lot of richness to the wine. On average, 60% of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is aged in neutral French oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2046.

Dark chocolate and cherries hit all the right notes. There is a lot of lift to the fruit, yet the berries remain dark, peppery, and floral. The tannins are equally elegant, giving you a refined, fresh, and concentrated wine. The fruit comes from vines planted on the Cote Brune, in one of the highest levels of elevation, close to Les Grands Places. Here you find a lot of clay in the soil, which adds a lot of richness to the wine. On average, 60% of the grapes are destemmed. The wine is aged in neutral French oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2046.

1,313 Views   Tasted
2019
95
The perfume opens with dark red fruits, raw meat, violets, spice, and smoke. Refined, elegant, and silky, with gentleness to the tannins that define the layers of sweet, energetic, red plums, and kirsch. Elegant as well as lively and pure, this will drink well almost on release due to its refined character and soft tannins. From vines planted in the middle of the Cote Brune and La Landonne with micha schist and a touch of iron that is closer to the bottom of the slope. The wine is 100% destemmed and is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2024-2041.

The perfume opens with dark red fruits, raw meat, violets, spice, and smoke. Refined, elegant, and silky, with gentleness to the tannins that define the layers of sweet, energetic, red plums, and kirsch. Elegant as well as lively and pure, this will drink well almost on release due to its refined character and soft tannins. From vines planted in the middle of the Cote Brune and La Landonne with micha schist and a touch of iron that is closer to the bottom of the slope. The wine is 100% destemmed and is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2024-2041.

1,323 Views   Tasted
2019
95
Power and elegance combine to deliver a soft, polished, ripe, energetic, floral wine with a fabulous sense of purity and tension. From vines planted in rocky schist terroir, with clay in the soil. 50% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2045.

Power and elegance combine to deliver a soft, polished, ripe, energetic, floral wine with a fabulous sense of purity and tension. From vines planted in rocky schist terroir, with clay in the soil. 50% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2045.

1,345 Views   Tasted
2019
95
Rich in color, the wine is dark and smoky. The wine is powerful, balanced, full-bodied, fresh, and deep, with a lean to the dark berry side of the style range with its plethora of blackberries, black plums, and earthy, salty, black cherries. There is volume, length, depth, and freshness with a smoke-filled personality on the nose and palate. From vines planted in the higher elevation of the Cote Brune with a rock and schist terroir, the grapes are partially whole bunch fermented, with close to 40% of the fruit being destemmed. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2045.

Rich in color, the wine is dark and smoky. The wine is powerful, balanced, full-bodied, fresh, and deep, with a lean to the dark berry side of the style range with its plethora of blackberries, black plums, and earthy, salty, black cherries. There is volume, length, depth, and freshness with a smoke-filled personality on the nose and palate. From vines planted in the higher elevation of the Cote Brune with a rock and schist terroir, the grapes are partially whole bunch fermented, with close to 40% of the fruit being destemmed. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2045.

1,356 Views   Tasted
2019
93
The wine opens with cigar box, smoke, leafy herbs, licorice, and dark red fruits in the perfume. On the palate, you find a dark red fruit profile with juicy, chewy, berries and a refreshing touch of spearmint that sticks in the backend. From vines planted in schist terroir in the Cote Brune just south of the village, the grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

The wine opens with cigar box, smoke, leafy herbs, licorice, and dark red fruits in the perfume. On the palate, you find a dark red fruit profile with juicy, chewy, berries and a refreshing touch of spearmint that sticks in the backend. From vines planted in schist terroir in the Cote Brune just south of the village, the grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

1,279 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Dark in color, the fruit is equally dark in the nose. I am really liking the Indian spice accent here. The wine is bold, chewy, and fresh, with softer, elegant tannins and a big blast of dark, pepper in the end note. The grapes are planted in schist terroir on the Cote Brune, not far from La Landonne. Close to 60% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

Dark in color, the fruit is equally dark in the nose. I am really liking the Indian spice accent here. The wine is bold, chewy, and fresh, with softer, elegant tannins and a big blast of dark, pepper in the end note. The grapes are planted in schist terroir on the Cote Brune, not far from La Landonne. Close to 60% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

1,337 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Smoke, licorice, leafy herbs, and dark red fruits on the nose. Almost classic in style, the fruit is deep, chewy, and dark, with a touch of chalk and leaf in the finish. The grapes are 100% whole bunch fermented from vines planted in the far north of the appellation on the Cote Brune. The production is close to 1,000 cases, so you should be able to find the wine. Drink from 2025-2040.

Smoke, licorice, leafy herbs, and dark red fruits on the nose. Almost classic in style, the fruit is deep, chewy, and dark, with a touch of chalk and leaf in the finish. The grapes are 100% whole bunch fermented from vines planted in the far north of the appellation on the Cote Brune. The production is close to 1,000 cases, so you should be able to find the wine. Drink from 2025-2040.

1,359 Views   Tasted
2019
93
There is a sweetness to the layers of black cherries, along with peppery chocolate, herb, and floral quality here that is hard not to be impressed by. The wine is full-bodied, fleshy, rich, and opulent, as well as deep, balanced and vibrant. You can enjoy this in its youth, but it is also going to age well for decades. From vines on the Cote Brune hillside just about in the middle of Cognet and La Vialliere. The terroir is so steep that is quite difficult to farm. The grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

There is a sweetness to the layers of black cherries, along with peppery chocolate, herb, and floral quality here that is hard not to be impressed by. The wine is full-bodied, fleshy, rich, and opulent, as well as deep, balanced and vibrant. You can enjoy this in its youth, but it is also going to age well for decades. From vines on the Cote Brune hillside just about in the middle of Cognet and La Vialliere. The terroir is so steep that is quite difficult to farm. The grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2026-2040.

1,317 Views   Tasted
2019
93
Smoke, thyme, flowers, and earthy red fruits open the nose. On the palate, the wine is forward, fresh and fruity with silky tannins and spicy, juicy red berries with a touch of chalk in the finish. The wine comes from blending fruit from 11 lieux-dits. Drink from 2023-2038.

Smoke, thyme, flowers, and earthy red fruits open the nose. On the palate, the wine is forward, fresh and fruity with silky tannins and spicy, juicy red berries with a touch of chalk in the finish. The wine comes from blending fruit from 11 lieux-dits. Drink from 2023-2038.

1,470 Views   Tasted
2018
98
Exotic, sensual, rich, full-bodied, deep, long, and intense. The seamless finish carries on for at least 60 seconds. The wine blends 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier. For the aging process, 25% of the wine is aged in new French oak before being placed in neutral barrels. Drink from 2025-2050.

Exotic, sensual, rich, full-bodied, deep, long, and intense. The seamless finish carries on for at least 60 seconds. The wine blends 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier. For the aging process, 25% of the wine is aged in new French oak before being placed in neutral barrels. Drink from 2025-2050.

1,417 Views   Tasted
2018
98
Smoky, powerful, rich, and intense, the wine is powerful, dense, full-bodied, and packed with layers of powerful, ripe, dark fruits that fill our palate. The finish hangs with you for close to 60 seconds. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in an average of 15% new, French oak for the first year before being moved to demi-muids for the second year of aging. Drink from 2030-2055.

Smoky, powerful, rich, and intense, the wine is powerful, dense, full-bodied, and packed with layers of powerful, ripe, dark fruits that fill our palate. The finish hangs with you for close to 60 seconds. The grapes are whole bunch fermented and aged in an average of 15% new, French oak for the first year before being moved to demi-muids for the second year of aging. Drink from 2030-2055.

1,633 Views   Tasted
2018
97
With an impressive dark color, the nose pops with dark red fruits, cocoa, figs, black cherries, blackberries, blue fruit, and cocoa. On the palate, you find a full-bodied, rich, powerful, deep, lusciously textured wine that resonates and lingers with its multiple layers of ripe fruit. The terroir is gneiss close to the beginning of the Cote Blonde Plateau. The grapes are completely destemmed and aged in neutral oak barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2027-2050.

With an impressive dark color, the nose pops with dark red fruits, cocoa, figs, black cherries, blackberries, blue fruit, and cocoa. On the palate, you find a full-bodied, rich, powerful, deep, lusciously textured wine that resonates and lingers with its multiple layers of ripe fruit. The terroir is gneiss close to the beginning of the Cote Blonde Plateau. The grapes are completely destemmed and aged in neutral oak barrels for 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2027-2050.

1,373 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Medium/full-bodied, forward, fresh, and loaded with smoky, dark red berries and spice with a touch of salt in the endnote. Crunchy, chewy, peppery red fruits shine nicely on the palate and in the finish. The grapes are planted in schist terroir on the Cote Brune, not far from La Landonne. Close to 60% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2025-2040.

Medium/full-bodied, forward, fresh, and loaded with smoky, dark red berries and spice with a touch of salt in the endnote. Crunchy, chewy, peppery red fruits shine nicely on the palate and in the finish. The grapes are planted in schist terroir on the Cote Brune, not far from La Landonne. Close to 60% of the grapes are whole bunch fermented. The wine is aged in neutral oak for close to 24 months before bottling. Drink from 2025-2040.

1,403 Views   Tasted
2018
92
Forward, medium-bodied, bright, and polished with touches of smoke, herbs, and cocoa that ride along with the savory, fresh red cherries and juicy plums on the palate and in the finish.

Forward, medium-bodied, bright, and polished with touches of smoke, herbs, and cocoa that ride along with the savory, fresh red cherries and juicy plums on the palate and in the finish.

3,118 Views   Tasted
2018
91
Quite bright, fresh, crisp, and vibrant, the wine is medium-bodied with a peppery, savory edge to all the elevated red fruits in the nose, on the palate and in the juicy, fresh finish.

Quite bright, fresh, crisp, and vibrant, the wine is medium-bodied with a peppery, savory edge to all the elevated red fruits in the nose, on the palate and in the juicy, fresh finish.

1,497 Views   Tasted
2017
100
Wow! This is what great wine is all about. The nose is intense with its blend of white flowers, spice, licorice, smoke, wet earth, and perfectly ripe, red, and black fruits. Texturally, this is incredibly sensuous with a finish that doesn't quit. There is weight and density, as well as balance, harmony, length, purity, depth, and most importantly, style and character. And that is what separates the good from the great wines. If you find a bottle or two, grab it, as less than 100 cases were produced. This should age for 3-4 decades effortlessly.

Wow! This is what great wine is all about. The nose is intense with its blend of white flowers, spice, licorice, smoke, wet earth, and perfectly ripe, red, and black fruits. Texturally, this is incredibly sensuous with a finish that doesn't quit. There is weight and density, as well as balance, harmony, length, purity, depth, and most importantly, style and character. And that is what separates the good from the great wines. If you find a bottle or two, grab it, as less than 100 cases were produced. This should age for 3-4 decades effortlessly.

1,979 Views   Tasted
2017
98
Dark, dense, powerful, full-bodied, rich, and meaty, the wine gets you going with its earthy nose packed with grilled steak, black plums, cherries, licorice, smoke, spice, and coffee bean. Full-bodied, tannic, structured, and complex, you are going to need to be patient with this wine, give it 15 or more years in the cellar and this could score even higher.

Dark, dense, powerful, full-bodied, rich, and meaty, the wine gets you going with its earthy nose packed with grilled steak, black plums, cherries, licorice, smoke, spice, and coffee bean. Full-bodied, tannic, structured, and complex, you are going to need to be patient with this wine, give it 15 or more years in the cellar and this could score even higher.

1,610 Views   Tasted
2017
98
The non-stop intensity here is off the charts. Kicking off with smoky black cherries, plums, thyme, crushed stone, espresso bean, and wet earth, the nose is more than enough to hook you. But it is on the palate that the wine really takes off with its layers of dark, perfectly ripe fruits, riper tannins, and seamless finish. Let this age for 12-15 years and you will have a thrilling Cote Rotie to enjoy for another 2-3 decades after that.

The non-stop intensity here is off the charts. Kicking off with smoky black cherries, plums, thyme, crushed stone, espresso bean, and wet earth, the nose is more than enough to hook you. But it is on the palate that the wine really takes off with its layers of dark, perfectly ripe fruits, riper tannins, and seamless finish. Let this age for 12-15 years and you will have a thrilling Cote Rotie to enjoy for another 2-3 decades after that.

1,412 Views   Tasted
2017
96
Deep and dark in color, the wine exudes smoke, black cherries, cigar wrapper, and peppery spice on the nose. Rich, round, fresh, deep, and vibrant, the wine delivers layers of ripe, dark smoky berries and curshed rock character.

Deep and dark in color, the wine exudes smoke, black cherries, cigar wrapper, and peppery spice on the nose. Rich, round, fresh, deep, and vibrant, the wine delivers layers of ripe, dark smoky berries and curshed rock character.

1,266 Views   Tasted
2017
95
Black, red, and hints of blue fruit with smoke, flowers, spice, and herbs paint a beautiful picture. The fruit on the palate is even better with its layers of ripe, velvety plums, blackberry, herbs, green olive and cherry nuances. Full-bodied, opulent, and polished, this is going to be just great, but be a little patient as this will take about a decade before it really starts to deliver its essence.

Black, red, and hints of blue fruit with smoke, flowers, spice, and herbs paint a beautiful picture. The fruit on the palate is even better with its layers of ripe, velvety plums, blackberry, herbs, green olive and cherry nuances. Full-bodied, opulent, and polished, this is going to be just great, but be a little patient as this will take about a decade before it really starts to deliver its essence.

1,368 Views   Tasted
2017
95
Smoky, floral, earthy, and a bit savory, the wine is elegant, poised, fresh, vibrant, and packed with lifted, ripe, red fruits. This is racy in style, with a nice edgy character in the finish.

Smoky, floral, earthy, and a bit savory, the wine is elegant, poised, fresh, vibrant, and packed with lifted, ripe, red fruits. This is racy in style, with a nice edgy character in the finish.

1,255 Views   Tasted
2017
94
Savory, bright, fresh, and juicy, the fruits are crisp, smoky, and vibrant on the nose and palate, finishing with elegant, smoky, red fruits and spice with a touch of olive on the backend.

Savory, bright, fresh, and juicy, the fruits are crisp, smoky, and vibrant on the nose and palate, finishing with elegant, smoky, red fruits and spice with a touch of olive on the backend.

1,286 Views   Tasted
2017
93
Full-bodied, earthy, and with a bit of a saline touch to the tannins, you also find loads of smoked red fruits, savory herbs, black raspberries and with a savory touch to the finish. This is going to need time to soften and develop.

Full-bodied, earthy, and with a bit of a saline touch to the tannins, you also find loads of smoked red fruits, savory herbs, black raspberries and with a savory touch to the finish. This is going to need time to soften and develop.

1,356 Views   Tasted
2016
99
With a solid depth of color, texturally, this is all about its sensuality, silky tannins, and exotic texture. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, rich, lush, opulent, and showy, truly putting on a display of smoked meats, flowers, olives, herbs, thyme, and fresh red berries. Give the 12 years in the cellar, more or less, and this could hit triple digits when it reaches maturity.

With a solid depth of color, texturally, this is all about its sensuality, silky tannins, and exotic texture. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, rich, lush, opulent, and showy, truly putting on a display of smoked meats, flowers, olives, herbs, thyme, and fresh red berries. Give the 12 years in the cellar, more or less, and this could hit triple digits when it reaches maturity.

1,907 Views   Tasted
2016
98
Oh yes, was all I could say after my initial sip. This has it all going on. The wine is full-bodied, intense, vibrant, silky, sensuous, and flamboyant. There is depth, complexity, and density, as well as balance. Multi-layered and multi-faceted, the wine leaves you with a cornucopia of red fruits that does not want to quit. Leave this for a decade and enjoy it for 20 years after that.

Oh yes, was all I could say after my initial sip. This has it all going on. The wine is full-bodied, intense, vibrant, silky, sensuous, and flamboyant. There is depth, complexity, and density, as well as balance. Multi-layered and multi-faceted, the wine leaves you with a cornucopia of red fruits that does not want to quit. Leave this for a decade and enjoy it for 20 years after that.

1,746 Views   Tasted
2016
97
Deep, dark, full, and concentrated, the wine is powerful, firm, tannic and reserved. You find numerous layers of dark, black, and red fruits with a peppery, smoky, crisp edge, but this is not going to be fun to drink in its youth. It will need at least 15 years of sleep before it is ready to deliver its all.

Deep, dark, full, and concentrated, the wine is powerful, firm, tannic and reserved. You find numerous layers of dark, black, and red fruits with a peppery, smoky, crisp edge, but this is not going to be fun to drink in its youth. It will need at least 15 years of sleep before it is ready to deliver its all.

1,621 Views   Tasted
2016
96
It's a bouquet of red, white, and purple flowers backed up by all its layers of supple, silky, opulent red and black fruits. The berries are ripe, sweet, fresh, and display a gorgeous sense of purity, smoky accents, length and complexity. This is going to age and evolve for 2-3 decades without any trouble,

It's a bouquet of red, white, and purple flowers backed up by all its layers of supple, silky, opulent red and black fruits. The berries are ripe, sweet, fresh, and display a gorgeous sense of purity, smoky accents, length and complexity. This is going to age and evolve for 2-3 decades without any trouble,

1,617 Views   Tasted
2016
95
Deep, rich, opulent, silky, and polished, the ripe, smoky, red fruits taste as good as they feel. The wine is full-bodied, luscious, opulent, vibrant, long, and deep, with a caressing edge to the finish. As good as this is, and it is that good, your patience will be rewarded if you hold off for a decade, allowing for more sensuous textures and nuances to shine through.

Deep, rich, opulent, silky, and polished, the ripe, smoky, red fruits taste as good as they feel. The wine is full-bodied, luscious, opulent, vibrant, long, and deep, with a caressing edge to the finish. As good as this is, and it is that good, your patience will be rewarded if you hold off for a decade, allowing for more sensuous textures and nuances to shine through.

1,312 Views   Tasted
2016
94
Medium-bodied, finesse styled, elegant, silky, and vibrant, the lift and energy in the sweet, ripe, crisp red fruits hit all the notes. The balance between edgy and refined is simply perfect.

Medium-bodied, finesse styled, elegant, silky, and vibrant, the lift and energy in the sweet, ripe, crisp red fruits hit all the notes. The balance between edgy and refined is simply perfect.

1,330 Views   Tasted
2016
94
Like walking into a flower shop located next to a barbecue stand, the smoke and flowers add a lot to the medium-bodied, sweet, ripe, silky, fresh, elegant, polished red fruits. The tannins feel soft and relaxed, making this relatively forward, so you can probably start drinking it within 5 years or so. Yet, even though it can be enjoyed early, it should age for at least 20 years or more.

Like walking into a flower shop located next to a barbecue stand, the smoke and flowers add a lot to the medium-bodied, sweet, ripe, silky, fresh, elegant, polished red fruits. The tannins feel soft and relaxed, making this relatively forward, so you can probably start drinking it within 5 years or so. Yet, even though it can be enjoyed early, it should age for at least 20 years or more.

1,293 Views   Tasted
2016
94
Medium-bodied, soft, silky, plush, and polished, the wine is loaded with ripe, fresh, sweet, slightly smoky red and black plums, cherries, spice, and olives.

Medium-bodied, soft, silky, plush, and polished, the wine is loaded with ripe, fresh, sweet, slightly smoky red and black plums, cherries, spice, and olives.

1,281 Views   Tasted
2016
93
Soft and sexy, silky and fresh, the fruit is ripe, there is energy and a forward style here, that will allow this to age, as well as be enjoyed in its youth. The floral notes that ride on top of the red cherries add nuance and complexity.

Soft and sexy, silky and fresh, the fruit is ripe, there is energy and a forward style here, that will allow this to age, as well as be enjoyed in its youth. The floral notes that ride on top of the red cherries add nuance and complexity.

1,524 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Herbs, olives and peppery fruits open to a medium bodied, forward, fresh, sweet and fruity wine that will drink well on release, and offer pleasure for a few years. The wine, which made its debut with the 2010 vintage is produced from blending about 60% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre and various other allowable grape varieties. This gem represents great value along with serious quality.

Herbs, olives and peppery fruits open to a medium bodied, forward, fresh, sweet and fruity wine that will drink well on release, and offer pleasure for a few years. The wine, which made its debut with the 2010 vintage is produced from blending about 60% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvedre and various other allowable grape varieties. This gem represents great value along with serious quality.

1,756 Views   Tasted
2016
91
Soft, luscious, ripe, round, sweet and loaded with licorice, dark red fruits, silky tannins with a polished, easy to like approach to its style.

Soft, luscious, ripe, round, sweet and loaded with licorice, dark red fruits, silky tannins with a polished, easy to like approach to its style.

2,739 Views   Tasted
2016
90
Deep in color, the wine shows spicy, dark red fruits, soft tannins freshness and vibrant floral notes in the end. This is already drinking in the sweet spot. It is quite a serious wine for the money.

Deep in color, the wine shows spicy, dark red fruits, soft tannins freshness and vibrant floral notes in the end. This is already drinking in the sweet spot. It is quite a serious wine for the money.

2,164 Views   Tasted
2016
89
Peppery fruit, sweet and plummy, with freshness and spice. The wine is fruity, with ample length, volume and freshness. The wine takes its name from the previous vineyard owner, Rosine.

Peppery fruit, sweet and plummy, with freshness and spice. The wine is fruity, with ample length, volume and freshness. The wine takes its name from the previous vineyard owner, Rosine.

2,634 Views   Tasted
2015
100
With a serious depth of color, the nose jumps right out of the glass with licorice, black raspberry, smoke, flowers, cherries, rocks, stones and plums. Pure silk and velvet in texture, with that special, exotic quality that engages with you, wanting you to know more. The finish sticks with you for at least 60 seconds, expanding and lingering. This is power, concentration and refinement, with a depth of flavor, purity of fruit and elegance that must be tasted to be believed. Mind blowing juice!

With a serious depth of color, the nose jumps right out of the glass with licorice, black raspberry, smoke, flowers, cherries, rocks, stones and plums. Pure silk and velvet in texture, with that special, exotic quality that engages with you, wanting you to know more. The finish sticks with you for at least 60 seconds, expanding and lingering. This is power, concentration and refinement, with a depth of flavor, purity of fruit and elegance that must be tasted to be believed. Mind blowing juice!

4,336 Views   Tasted
2015
99
Flowers, rocks, stones, licorice and Christmas spice explode in your face, along with all that ripe, dense, dark red fruits. On the palate, the wine is powerful, graceful, elegant and strong. The tannins are refined, ripe, soft and polished. The finish sticks with you for at least 60 seconds! The wine will age for decades with ease. But it will take some time to get to the sweet spot, as there is more going on here than the wine lets see in its youth.

Flowers, rocks, stones, licorice and Christmas spice explode in your face, along with all that ripe, dense, dark red fruits. On the palate, the wine is powerful, graceful, elegant and strong. The tannins are refined, ripe, soft and polished. The finish sticks with you for at least 60 seconds! The wine will age for decades with ease. But it will take some time to get to the sweet spot, as there is more going on here than the wine lets see in its youth.

2,421 Views   Tasted
2015
98
Deep ruby in color, the fresh black raspberries just sing. From there you find flowers, licorice, pepper and cherry griotte. On the palate the wine is full bodied, deep, concentrated and exotic. It is not just the silky, velvet drenched tannins, it's the length, purity and uniqueness of style. This is pure bottled decadence.

Deep ruby in color, the fresh black raspberries just sing. From there you find flowers, licorice, pepper and cherry griotte. On the palate the wine is full bodied, deep, concentrated and exotic. It is not just the silky, velvet drenched tannins, it's the length, purity and uniqueness of style. This is pure bottled decadence.

1,947 Views   Tasted
2015
98
Matching the power of the fruit with the tannins and waves of complexities produces a wine that is equally concentrated, fresh and dense. The lift and aromatics shine here. The finish, with its multi-layered wall of stone, spice and red fruits goes on and on. But this demands at least a decade in the cellar before it is ready for its prime time drinking window.

Matching the power of the fruit with the tannins and waves of complexities produces a wine that is equally concentrated, fresh and dense. The lift and aromatics shine here. The finish, with its multi-layered wall of stone, spice and red fruits goes on and on. But this demands at least a decade in the cellar before it is ready for its prime time drinking window.

2,285 Views   Tasted
2015
97
Spicy, with incense, licorice, pepper and kirsch with black cherries grabs your focus. There is a beautiful polish to the tannins, elegance and sexiness in the .texture that makes it impossible to put down the glass. The wine is rich, ripe, and frankly decadent in its style.

Spicy, with incense, licorice, pepper and kirsch with black cherries grabs your focus. There is a beautiful polish to the tannins, elegance and sexiness in the .texture that makes it impossible to put down the glass. The wine is rich, ripe, and frankly decadent in its style.

2,185 Views   Tasted
2015
96
Cote Bodin is loosely translated into the fake blonde, as it resembles the wine from Cote Rotie. The wine pops with incense, smoke, bacon fat, licorice, herbs on the nose. But it's the silky, sexy, luscious, decadent textures that grab your attention. Long and fresh, the sensuous finish feels great.

Cote Bodin is loosely translated into the fake blonde, as it resembles the wine from Cote Rotie. The wine pops with incense, smoke, bacon fat, licorice, herbs on the nose. But it's the silky, sexy, luscious, decadent textures that grab your attention. Long and fresh, the sensuous finish feels great.

1,848 Views   Tasted
2015
96
Deep in color, the wine is full bodied, luscious, polished, rich and is loaded with sweet, dense, black cherries and tannin. Full bodied, concentrated and complex, there is depth of flavor here with the structure and raw materials that give it the ability to age and evolve.

Deep in color, the wine is full bodied, luscious, polished, rich and is loaded with sweet, dense, black cherries and tannin. Full bodied, concentrated and complex, there is depth of flavor here with the structure and raw materials that give it the ability to age and evolve.

1,630 Views   Tasted
2015
94
Spicy, earthy, fresh and loaded with smoky, peppery cherries, earth, herbs and olives. Medium/full bodied, with a spicy character to the red berries in the finish, give this a decade to develop and for the tannins to integrate and you'll have a killer wine on your hands.

Spicy, earthy, fresh and loaded with smoky, peppery cherries, earth, herbs and olives. Medium/full bodied, with a spicy character to the red berries in the finish, give this a decade to develop and for the tannins to integrate and you'll have a killer wine on your hands.

1,642 Views   Tasted
2015
94
Made from a blend that comes from 11 lieux-dits, the wine offers, violets, spice, licorice, dark red fruits and sweet cherries. Full bodied, rich, silky and elegant, the wine is fresh, vibrant, long and complex, with an exotic character. This should develop quite well.

Made from a blend that comes from 11 lieux-dits, the wine offers, violets, spice, licorice, dark red fruits and sweet cherries. Full bodied, rich, silky and elegant, the wine is fresh, vibrant, long and complex, with an exotic character. This should develop quite well.

3,394 Views   Tasted
2015
92
Flowers, olives, bacon fat, smoke and spice add to the ripe, red fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, forward and open, with purity of fruit and dusty tannins in the finish.

Flowers, olives, bacon fat, smoke and spice add to the ripe, red fruits. On the palate, the wine is soft, silky, forward and open, with purity of fruit and dusty tannins in the finish.

3,761 Views   Tasted
2013
94
The nose gets you with its spicy, earthy rock, stone and smoke filled character that rests on top of the ripe, red pit fruits, underbrush, green olives and pepper. On the palate, the wine offers elegance, freshness and juicy, sweet, back cherries in the finish. The oak is already disappearing into the wine. For La Belle Helene, this is one of the few vintages that will allow you to drink it with pleasure on the early side.

The nose gets you with its spicy, earthy rock, stone and smoke filled character that rests on top of the ripe, red pit fruits, underbrush, green olives and pepper. On the palate, the wine offers elegance, freshness and juicy, sweet, back cherries in the finish. The oak is already disappearing into the wine. For La Belle Helene, this is one of the few vintages that will allow you to drink it with pleasure on the early side.

2,245 Views   Tasted
2013
93
Supple textured, silky and sweet, the dark, smoky, peppery red pit fruits show freshness and a spicy character that delivers polish with wild red berries in the finish making this already hard to resist. With time, this could get even better.

Supple textured, silky and sweet, the dark, smoky, peppery red pit fruits show freshness and a spicy character that delivers polish with wild red berries in the finish making this already hard to resist. With time, this could get even better.

1,560 Views   Tasted
2013
93
Peppery, earthy, fresh and herbal, in a good way, the fruit is ripe, the textures are soft and the palate feel shows polish. There is a sweetness to the red fruits and a silkiness in the finish making this hard to resist.

Peppery, earthy, fresh and herbal, in a good way, the fruit is ripe, the textures are soft and the palate feel shows polish. There is a sweetness to the red fruits and a silkiness in the finish making this hard to resist.

1,510 Views   Tasted
2013
92
Earthy, wet forest floor, truffle, tobacco, smoke and dark red fruits on the nose bring you to a soft, forward, silky, elegant, briny profile with freshness in the fruity finish.

Earthy, wet forest floor, truffle, tobacco, smoke and dark red fruits on the nose bring you to a soft, forward, silky, elegant, briny profile with freshness in the fruity finish.

1,515 Views   Tasted
2013
91
Medium bodied, elegant, fresh, soft and supple, the wine is soft, silky, smoky and fruity, finishing with sweet, peppery, ripe, spicy red fruits. This is already drinking well.

Medium bodied, elegant, fresh, soft and supple, the wine is soft, silky, smoky and fruity, finishing with sweet, peppery, ripe, spicy red fruits. This is already drinking well.

1,374 Views   Tasted
2013
89
Light in color, the wine tells you its ready to drink, as it's easy to find the earthy, peppery, red fruits on the nose and medium bodied palate. This is ready to go.

Light in color, the wine tells you its ready to drink, as it's easy to find the earthy, peppery, red fruits on the nose and medium bodied palate. This is ready to go.

3,330 Views   Tasted
2012
95
Tightly wound, holding much of its essence in reserve, with effort, the spicy, fresh, lifted, smoky red fruits pop forward. The wine has concentration, focus and energy and a crisp, smoky, red berry finish. Time is definitely needed for the wine to soften and develop.

Tightly wound, holding much of its essence in reserve, with effort, the spicy, fresh, lifted, smoky red fruits pop forward. The wine has concentration, focus and energy and a crisp, smoky, red berry finish. Time is definitely needed for the wine to soften and develop.

2,954 Views   Tasted
2012
95
Powerful, full-bodied, tannic, youthful, fresh and lively, the vibrant smoky, ripe spicy red fruits, crushed rock, smoke, cherry, plum and black raspberry are all over the place on the nose and palate. But this is still early days here. Give it at least another 5 years before pulling a cork on this beauty.

Powerful, full-bodied, tannic, youthful, fresh and lively, the vibrant smoky, ripe spicy red fruits, crushed rock, smoke, cherry, plum and black raspberry are all over the place on the nose and palate. But this is still early days here. Give it at least another 5 years before pulling a cork on this beauty.

3,214 Views   Tasted
2010
99
Power and precision, purity and poise, tannic, backward, concentrated and mouth-filling, this is not a wine for current consumption. But clearly, this is going to be worth the wait. Give it at least another decade so you can get to all the layers of perfectly ripe, vibrant kirsch, black raspberry, smoke, thyme, herbs and crushed rocks to emerge. This is in perfect balance between its structure and the layers of fruit. Quite refined, but tight, this is a beauty and a potential legendary Cote Rotie.

Power and precision, purity and poise, tannic, backward, concentrated and mouth-filling, this is not a wine for current consumption. But clearly, this is going to be worth the wait. Give it at least another decade so you can get to all the layers of perfectly ripe, vibrant kirsch, black raspberry, smoke, thyme, herbs and crushed rocks to emerge. This is in perfect balance between its structure and the layers of fruit. Quite refined, but tight, this is a beauty and a potential legendary Cote Rotie.

3,317 Views   Tasted
2010
96
The exotic perfume is packed with smoke, flowers, spice-box, incense, espresso, blackberries, and plums get everything off to a good start. And it is even better when all of those perfectly ripe, fresh, vibrant, concentrated, spicy, peppery red berries hit your palate. Firm, rich, concentrated, focused, energetic and youthful, this is just great now, though it is still in its infancy. With just a bit more aging, this is going to be superb. Drink from 2026-2045.

The exotic perfume is packed with smoke, flowers, spice-box, incense, espresso, blackberries, and plums get everything off to a good start. And it is even better when all of those perfectly ripe, fresh, vibrant, concentrated, spicy, peppery red berries hit your palate. Firm, rich, concentrated, focused, energetic and youthful, this is just great now, though it is still in its infancy. With just a bit more aging, this is going to be superb. Drink from 2026-2045.

2,548 Views   Tasted
2010
95
In the middle of its move from primary to mature, this youthful wine is a beauty. Concentrated, energetic and loaded with ripe, juicy, sweet, fresh dark, red fruits, earth, spice box, smoke and thyme, the wine feels even better than it smells. The finish has this great, juicy, vibrant, pure quality that brings you back to the glass for another sip! The wine is produced using 100% Syrah from vines planted in the Cote Brune.

In the middle of its move from primary to mature, this youthful wine is a beauty. Concentrated, energetic and loaded with ripe, juicy, sweet, fresh dark, red fruits, earth, spice box, smoke and thyme, the wine feels even better than it smells. The finish has this great, juicy, vibrant, pure quality that brings you back to the glass for another sip! The wine is produced using 100% Syrah from vines planted in the Cote Brune.

5,537 Views   Tasted
2009
97
Far too young, but the character of these 2009 wines makes it hard to stop from pulling cork, even knowing how much better this is going to get with more age. Showing a good depth of color, the dark red berries, smoke, earth, leaf and green olive, along with plum and thyme aromatics just grab you. But it's the silky, lush, fat, juicy, fresh, dark red fruits that spend time on your palate that keep you there. The liqueur finish, with its bright character is just great. Although, another 5 years in the cellar will make this even better.

Far too young, but the character of these 2009 wines makes it hard to stop from pulling cork, even knowing how much better this is going to get with more age. Showing a good depth of color, the dark red berries, smoke, earth, leaf and green olive, along with plum and thyme aromatics just grab you. But it's the silky, lush, fat, juicy, fresh, dark red fruits that spend time on your palate that keep you there. The liqueur finish, with its bright character is just great. Although, another 5 years in the cellar will make this even better.

2,981 Views   Tasted
2007
95
Some nights, Cote Rotie calls my name, and when it does, I answer the call. With a beautiful nose filled with flowers, charcoal, earth, spicy red cherries, kirsch, smoke, strawberry liqueur and minerals, you're focused on what comes next. On the palate, powerful waves of fresh, ripe cherries and brown sugar are just what the doctor ordered. The wine finishes with uplifting, refreshing notes of juicy, ripe red berries, plums and sensuous textures. This is hard to find, as not much is made, but if you're a fan of Cote Rotie, it's worth the effort. Popped and poured, the wine got better and better in the glass.

Some nights, Cote Rotie calls my name, and when it does, I answer the call. With a beautiful nose filled with flowers, charcoal, earth, spicy red cherries, kirsch, smoke, strawberry liqueur and minerals, you're focused on what comes next. On the palate, powerful waves of fresh, ripe cherries and brown sugar are just what the doctor ordered. The wine finishes with uplifting, refreshing notes of juicy, ripe red berries, plums and sensuous textures. This is hard to find, as not much is made, but if you're a fan of Cote Rotie, it's worth the effort. Popped and poured, the wine got better and better in the glass.

3,990 Views   Tasted
2007
93
Silky, soft and smooth, this sensous, polished wine delivers the essence of pure, ripe cherries, kirsch and black cherry, complicated with wet earth and spice. The supple finish remains on your palate serving up a platter of ripe, dark red fruits. At close to its 7th birthday, this is starting to drink nicely.

Silky, soft and smooth, this sensous, polished wine delivers the essence of pure, ripe cherries, kirsch and black cherry, complicated with wet earth and spice. The supple finish remains on your palate serving up a platter of ripe, dark red fruits. At close to its 7th birthday, this is starting to drink nicely.

2,749 Views   Tasted
2005
91
This is just starting to bare its medium bodied, cherry, strawberry, bacon fat, earth, pepper and black raspberry charms. Medium bodied with the ability to age, this round, Cote Rotie ends with a fresh, spicy, black cherry finish. This could improve over the next few years.

This is just starting to bare its medium bodied, cherry, strawberry, bacon fat, earth, pepper and black raspberry charms. Medium bodied with the ability to age, this round, Cote Rotie ends with a fresh, spicy, black cherry finish. This could improve over the next few years.

3,816 Views   Tasted
2003
90
Fully mature, with an earthy, black cherry, licorice and smokey nose. Lush, round, soft and at peak, the wine ends with a blast of earthy, kirsch and spicy notes.

Fully mature, with an earthy, black cherry, licorice and smokey nose. Lush, round, soft and at peak, the wine ends with a blast of earthy, kirsch and spicy notes.

2,451 Views   Tasted
2001
96
Fully mature, the wine is packed with smoky cherries, spice, tobacco, herbs, and peppery red plums. Vibrant, fresh, and lively, the concentrated peppery red berries, crushed rocks, olives and herbs in the finish lingers. Drinking at peak, no decanting needed, just pop, pour and enjoy. Drink from 2024-2032.

Fully mature, the wine is packed with smoky cherries, spice, tobacco, herbs, and peppery red plums. Vibrant, fresh, and lively, the concentrated peppery red berries, crushed rocks, olives and herbs in the finish lingers. Drinking at peak, no decanting needed, just pop, pour and enjoy. Drink from 2024-2032.

838 Views   Tasted
This sublime wine gets better and better each time time I taste it! With a pungent nose of fresh, ripe, berries, bacon fat, fennel, earth, smoke, flowers and herbs, the wine is full bodied, fresh, concentrated, complex and feels like exotic silk on your palate. This is drinking great today as we just popped and poured the bottle.

This sublime wine gets better and better each time time I taste it! With a pungent nose of fresh, ripe, berries, bacon fat, fennel, earth, smoke, flowers and herbs, the wine is full bodied, fresh, concentrated, complex and feels like exotic silk on your palate. This is drinking great today as we just popped and poured the bottle.

2,781 Views   Tasted
This beauty keeps adding complexity, texture and nuance to its silky, supple exotic textures and earthy, floral, boysenberry, spice, herb and bacon personality. If you are luck enough to have a bottle of this in your cellar, grab it and pop a cork.

This beauty keeps adding complexity, texture and nuance to its silky, supple exotic textures and earthy, floral, boysenberry, spice, herb and bacon personality. If you are luck enough to have a bottle of this in your cellar, grab it and pop a cork.

2,532 Views   Tasted
Ogier Lancement Cote Rotie is almost impossible to find, with its whopping production on 100 cases. With a nose filled with bacon fat, olives, smoke, fresh blackberry jam and strawberry, it’s sweet, rich, ripe, opulent, spicy and sexy. From 100% Syrah from the Cote Blonde, this is drinking great today.

Ogier Lancement Cote Rotie is almost impossible to find, with its whopping production on 100 cases. With a nose filled with bacon fat, olives, smoke, fresh blackberry jam and strawberry, it’s sweet, rich, ripe, opulent, spicy and sexy. From 100% Syrah from the Cote Blonde, this is drinking great today.

2,575 Views   Tasted
01 Ogier Lancement is a very sexy, powerful Cote Rotie. This scarce gem is a must for any Northern Rhone fan. Still young and primary, with a boatload of dark Kirsch, bacon fat, pepper and herbs, this will develop very nicely.

01 Ogier Lancement is a very sexy, powerful Cote Rotie. This scarce gem is a must for any Northern Rhone fan. Still young and primary, with a boatload of dark Kirsch, bacon fat, pepper and herbs, this will develop very nicely.

2,199 Views   Tasted
2001
95
Fully ready to go, just and pop this beauty for all of its refined, elegant, fresh, smoky, red berries, flowers, and crushed rocks on the nose and palate. Drink from 2022-2032.

Fully ready to go, just and pop this beauty for all of its refined, elegant, fresh, smoky, red berries, flowers, and crushed rocks on the nose and palate. Drink from 2022-2032.

2,149 Views   Tasted
Still young and holding back much of what it will eventually offer in reserve, the wine is fresh, vibrant, juicy, spicy and fragrant. There is lift, concentration and loads of ripe, spicy, sweet fruits. Another few years will add more to the wine, but it's easy to see, this is a beauty.

Still young and holding back much of what it will eventually offer in reserve, the wine is fresh, vibrant, juicy, spicy and fragrant. There is lift, concentration and loads of ripe, spicy, sweet fruits. Another few years will add more to the wine, but it's easy to see, this is a beauty.

2,832 Views   Tasted
An outstanding showing for this beauty. Decanted about one hour, the floral, dark red fruit, spice, earth, bacon fat and kirsch nose was in full force. I loved the brightness on the palate, as it was matched with silky, sweet, cherries and spice that delivered lift and heft.

An outstanding showing for this beauty. Decanted about one hour, the floral, dark red fruit, spice, earth, bacon fat and kirsch nose was in full force. I loved the brightness on the palate, as it was matched with silky, sweet, cherries and spice that delivered lift and heft.

3,154 Views   Tasted
This is a beautiful example of Cote Rotie that is really starting to show well. The nose serves up intoxicating floral, black raspberry earth, spice and thyme scents. The sweet, ripe berries have the perfect combination of lift, depth and vibrancy, coupled with complex aromatics, silky, lush textures and volume to make each sniff and sip more interesting than the last one. Not much of this beauty is made. It's truly worth the effort to seek out a few bottles. At close to 15 years of age, it's really coming into its own.

This is a beautiful example of Cote Rotie that is really starting to show well. The nose serves up intoxicating floral, black raspberry earth, spice and thyme scents. The sweet, ripe berries have the perfect combination of lift, depth and vibrancy, coupled with complex aromatics, silky, lush textures and volume to make each sniff and sip more interesting than the last one. Not much of this beauty is made. It's truly worth the effort to seek out a few bottles. At close to 15 years of age, it's really coming into its own.

3,638 Views   Tasted
2001 Belle Helene from Ogier is a knock out from the moment the cork is popped. With aromatics of smoke, bacon fat, coffee, black cherry, pepper, olives, licorice and spice. The wine is full bodied and deep, with the structure to age. On the palate there is an intensity of flavor that shines in the long, fresh, blackberry and cassis flavored finish. Still young, this wine will only get better.

2001 Belle Helene from Ogier is a knock out from the moment the cork is popped. With aromatics of smoke, bacon fat, coffee, black cherry, pepper, olives, licorice and spice. The wine is full bodied and deep, with the structure to age. On the palate there is an intensity of flavor that shines in the long, fresh, blackberry and cassis flavored finish. Still young, this wine will only get better.

4,164 Views   Tasted
1999
100
Fully ready to go, this thrill-a-sip wine has it all. With 1 hour of decanting, the vibrant, fresh, pure, smoky, red fruits come alive on the nose and palate. There is fabulous energy, mouth-filling layers of perfectly ripe, red fruits, and a seamless finish that holds on for over 60 seconds.

Fully ready to go, this thrill-a-sip wine has it all. With 1 hour of decanting, the vibrant, fresh, pure, smoky, red fruits come alive on the nose and palate. There is fabulous energy, mouth-filling layers of perfectly ripe, red fruits, and a seamless finish that holds on for over 60 seconds.

2,821 Views   Tasted
Impossible to find, and equally impossible not to be thrilled with this stellar wine. Incredibly concentrated, intense, full-bodied, firm, regal, and explosive, the wine is packed with layers of crushed rocks, peppery red fruits, iron, smoke, leafy herbs, and dried flowers. The palate-staining layers of perfectly ripe, fruits hit every nook and cranny of your taste receptors. Decanted 90 minutes, this is still remarkably young and vibrant. The finish sticks with you for 60 seconds, or longer.

Impossible to find, and equally impossible not to be thrilled with this stellar wine. Incredibly concentrated, intense, full-bodied, firm, regal, and explosive, the wine is packed with layers of crushed rocks, peppery red fruits, iron, smoke, leafy herbs, and dried flowers. The palate-staining layers of perfectly ripe, fruits hit every nook and cranny of your taste receptors. Decanted 90 minutes, this is still remarkably young and vibrant. The finish sticks with you for 60 seconds, or longer.

4,746 Views   Tasted
This is a thrill-a-sip wine! Every sniff, swirl and taste is an adventure. This is Incredibly concentrated, with layers of elegant, regal, perfectly ripe, deep, dark, sweet, fresh fruits. The wine fills and coats your palate. Olives, pepper, smoke, underbrush, flint and dark red fruits are perfectly blended. The seamless finish, with its surreal, velvet texture, sticks with you for at least 60 seconds! Bought on release, it is impossible to find a bottle today. But if this sounds like your thing... The 2015 wines from Stephane Ogier were released this week and as hard as it is to believe, they are even better than the 1999's! If you like Ogier Cote Rotie, run, do not walk and buy these limited gems, before they are gone from the market, living in private cellars.

This is a thrill-a-sip wine! Every sniff, swirl and taste is an adventure. This is Incredibly concentrated, with layers of elegant, regal, perfectly ripe, deep, dark, sweet, fresh fruits. The wine fills and coats your palate. Olives, pepper, smoke, underbrush, flint and dark red fruits are perfectly blended. The seamless finish, with its surreal, velvet texture, sticks with you for at least 60 seconds! Bought on release, it is impossible to find a bottle today. But if this sounds like your thing... The 2015 wines from Stephane Ogier were released this week and as hard as it is to believe, they are even better than the 1999's! If you like Ogier Cote Rotie, run, do not walk and buy these limited gems, before they are gone from the market, living in private cellars.

5,185 Views   Tasted
Tasting surprisingly young, blind I would have been shocked to find this was 16 years of age. Splash decanting brought its floral, earthy, espresso, blackberry, dark cherry, stone and barbecue notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, concentrated and in balance. The fruit is fresh, crisp and sweet, and oh so young, leaving with a a long expression of minerality and purity in the mouth. This requires at least 3-5 more years before maturity settles in. As a point of comparison, it was less developed than the 1999 Guigal La Landonne it was paired against!

Tasting surprisingly young, blind I would have been shocked to find this was 16 years of age. Splash decanting brought its floral, earthy, espresso, blackberry, dark cherry, stone and barbecue notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, concentrated and in balance. The fruit is fresh, crisp and sweet, and oh so young, leaving with a a long expression of minerality and purity in the mouth. This requires at least 3-5 more years before maturity settles in. As a point of comparison, it was less developed than the 1999 Guigal La Landonne it was paired against!

5,598 Views   Tasted
This was my first experience with the vintage. Having read glowing reports from Parker and our friends from across the pond, I was looking forward to it. This was a mind blowing wine! This was completely black in color. Insane levels of concentration and glycerin. Intense aromatics of fruit, spice, earth, flowers and herbs scream from the glass. The palate easily slips into ecstasy as the wine eases its way across your taste buds. The compelling finish lasts well over a minute. In 1999, this wine competes with the La La’s. This is spellbinding juice

This was my first experience with the vintage. Having read glowing reports from Parker and our friends from across the pond, I was looking forward to it. This was a mind blowing wine! This was completely black in color. Insane levels of concentration and glycerin. Intense aromatics of fruit, spice, earth, flowers and herbs scream from the glass. The palate easily slips into ecstasy as the wine eases its way across your taste buds. The compelling finish lasts well over a minute. In 1999, this wine competes with the La La’s. This is spellbinding juice

6,793 Views   Tasted
1999
93
A pop and pour was all this needed to come alive. Medium-bodied and focused on its smoked cherry, thyme, olive and herb nose, you also find cool notes of barbecue, mesquite and kirsch. Sweet, ripe, fresh and silky with a nice bite of smoked ripe red fruit in the finish sealed the deal. This has probably moved just past its peak days. So if you are sitting on any bottles, you should enjoy them over the next 3-5 years.

A pop and pour was all this needed to come alive. Medium-bodied and focused on its smoked cherry, thyme, olive and herb nose, you also find cool notes of barbecue, mesquite and kirsch. Sweet, ripe, fresh and silky with a nice bite of smoked ripe red fruit in the finish sealed the deal. This has probably moved just past its peak days. So if you are sitting on any bottles, you should enjoy them over the next 3-5 years.

4,582 Views   Tasted
Fully mature and drinking in the perfect, sweet spot, fresh cherries, kirsch, spice, earth, bacon fat, pepper and grilled beef scents are all over the place. Silky textures and sensuous, lush, ripe, spicy red berries in the finish make it even better. I\'m not sure I\'d age it much longer. But it\'s tasting so great now, there is no reason to wait to pop a cork.

Fully mature and drinking in the perfect, sweet spot, fresh cherries, kirsch, spice, earth, bacon fat, pepper and grilled beef scents are all over the place. Silky textures and sensuous, lush, ripe, spicy red berries in the finish make it even better. I\'m not sure I\'d age it much longer. But it\'s tasting so great now, there is no reason to wait to pop a cork.

3,278 Views   Tasted
You\'re greeted by a beautiful nose filled with flowers, bacon fat, plum, truffle, licorice and smoke. Rich, supple and opulent in texture, this delicious, mature Cote Rotie ends with a kinky, black cherry and spice finish. This is drinking great today. If you have a bottle, there is no reason to wait.

You\'re greeted by a beautiful nose filled with flowers, bacon fat, plum, truffle, licorice and smoke. Rich, supple and opulent in texture, this delicious, mature Cote Rotie ends with a kinky, black cherry and spice finish. This is drinking great today. If you have a bottle, there is no reason to wait.

3,654 Views   Tasted
Spice, fresh picked cherries, flowers, earth, licorice and black raspberries make up the complex perfume. Silky and supple in texture, this fully mature Cote Rotie feels great on your palate when it delivers layers of fresh, spicy ripe, red and black fruits. The wine kept getting better in the glass for as long as I could keep my hands off it, which was about 2 hours. Bravo Stephane Ogier!

Spice, fresh picked cherries, flowers, earth, licorice and black raspberries make up the complex perfume. Silky and supple in texture, this fully mature Cote Rotie feels great on your palate when it delivers layers of fresh, spicy ripe, red and black fruits. The wine kept getting better in the glass for as long as I could keep my hands off it, which was about 2 hours. Bravo Stephane Ogier!

3,656 Views   Tasted
Flowers, pepper, kirsch, strawberry, earth and spicy aromas opened this exciting wine. With ample freshness and concentration, this full bodied, elegant, rich, well textured wine delivers layers of ripe dark red berries, pepper and earthy flavors. This is drinking at the perfect place today.

Flowers, pepper, kirsch, strawberry, earth and spicy aromas opened this exciting wine. With ample freshness and concentration, this full bodied, elegant, rich, well textured wine delivers layers of ripe dark red berries, pepper and earthy flavors. This is drinking at the perfect place today.

4,089 Views   Tasted
1999 Ogier Cote Rotie continues to impress every time I pop a cork. With an intense nose filled with kirsch, black pepper, dark cherries and liqueur aromatics, the wine insists on getting your attention. The lush, fresh, round and elegant wine offers the perfect balance of acidity. There is just enough to give the wine lift, but not too much, allowing the wine to feel good on your palate. The black raspberry and dark cherry finish lasts close to :40. 95 Pts

1999 Ogier Cote Rotie continues to impress every time I pop a cork. With an intense nose filled with kirsch, black pepper, dark cherries and liqueur aromatics, the wine insists on getting your attention. The lush, fresh, round and elegant wine offers the perfect balance of acidity. There is just enough to give the wine lift, but not too much, allowing the wine to feel good on your palate. The black raspberry and dark cherry finish lasts close to :40. 95 Pts

4,174 Views   Tasted
Sizzling bacon fat, black cherry liqueur, graphite, smoke, earth,caramel and pepper aromatics lead into a full bodied, silky wine that finishes with black cherry and tart strawberries. There is a chalky feeling in the mouth that is a bit distracting. This is probably fully mature and should be consumed over the next few years.

Sizzling bacon fat, black cherry liqueur, graphite, smoke, earth,caramel and pepper aromatics lead into a full bodied, silky wine that finishes with black cherry and tart strawberries. There is a chalky feeling in the mouth that is a bit distracting. This is probably fully mature and should be consumed over the next few years.

4,368 Views   Tasted
Bacon fat, ripe, deep fruit, herbs and peppery spices filled the glass. What a beautiful wine. Very lush and plush. This is already drinking well today but will easily improve for 15-20 more years

Bacon fat, ripe, deep fruit, herbs and peppery spices filled the glass. What a beautiful wine. Very lush and plush. This is already drinking well today but will easily improve for 15-20 more years

3,278 Views   Tasted
Smells of bacon fat, flowers and fruit cake find their way from the glass to your nose. Still tannic. Serious backbone and structure to this wine. A lot of acidity. Lengthy red cherry and strawberry finish.

Smells of bacon fat, flowers and fruit cake find their way from the glass to your nose. Still tannic. Serious backbone and structure to this wine. A lot of acidity. Lengthy red cherry and strawberry finish.

3,660 Views   Tasted
1998
93
This is so close to being stunning. It's almost there. But almost only counts in horse races and hand grenades. The perfume, with its pepper, earth, kirsch and garrigue is sublime. On the palate, the wine is regal, elegant and plush. The finish is all about the beautiful purity of fresh ripe cherries. The only problem is, the finish was a bit short. This is drinking at the perfect place today. I'll finish my few remaining bottles over the next 5-8 years.

This is so close to being stunning. It's almost there. But almost only counts in horse races and hand grenades. The perfume, with its pepper, earth, kirsch and garrigue is sublime. On the palate, the wine is regal, elegant and plush. The finish is all about the beautiful purity of fresh ripe cherries. The only problem is, the finish was a bit short. This is drinking at the perfect place today. I'll finish my few remaining bottles over the next 5-8 years.

3,751 Views   Tasted
Full bodied, rich and concentrated with layers of ripe black fruits, but the amount of oak in this bottle was overpowering. Even with 2 hours of air, it barely dissipated. I loved the weight, depth, fruit and texture, but from memory the previous bottle showed a lot less oak.

Full bodied, rich and concentrated with layers of ripe black fruits, but the amount of oak in this bottle was overpowering. Even with 2 hours of air, it barely dissipated. I loved the weight, depth, fruit and texture, but from memory the previous bottle showed a lot less oak.

3,811 Views   Tasted
Dark color with aromas of black pepper, herbs, earth and grilled meat. An opulent array of black and red cherry flavors fills your mouth with ample freshness while the wine finishes with soft touches of spicy red and black fruit. Still young, another 5 years of sleep with add a lot to this stylish wine.

Dark color with aromas of black pepper, herbs, earth and grilled meat. An opulent array of black and red cherry flavors fills your mouth with ample freshness while the wine finishes with soft touches of spicy red and black fruit. Still young, another 5 years of sleep with add a lot to this stylish wine.

1,605 Views   Tasted
1998
90
Sappy, kirsch and black fruit Cote Rotie quality that perfectly marries red and black fruit sensations. Medium bodied and already mature.

Sappy, kirsch and black fruit Cote Rotie quality that perfectly marries red and black fruit sensations. Medium bodied and already mature.

2,841 Views   Tasted
1991
96
Potent essence of kirsch, cinnamon, blackberry liqueur, jammy strawberry, licorice, market herbs, bacon fat, essence of plum and dark cherries. Rich, sweet, ripe, round cherries blanket your mouth. The opulent, satin textured finish is filled with ripe, plums, black cherry and dark berries make this an out standing Cote Rotie.

Potent essence of kirsch, cinnamon, blackberry liqueur, jammy strawberry, licorice, market herbs, bacon fat, essence of plum and dark cherries. Rich, sweet, ripe, round cherries blanket your mouth. The opulent, satin textured finish is filled with ripe, plums, black cherry and dark berries make this an out standing Cote Rotie.

1,796 Views   Tasted
1989
92
Still holding on with a vibrant, freshness to the subtle, refined, smoky, red fruits, pepper, and leafy notes on the nose and medium-bodied, elegant palate. This is drinking at, or slightly past its peak. Drink from 2023-2027.

Still holding on with a vibrant, freshness to the subtle, refined, smoky, red fruits, pepper, and leafy notes on the nose and medium-bodied, elegant palate. This is drinking at, or slightly past its peak. Drink from 2023-2027.

1,838 Views   Tasted