2018 Stephane Ogier Cote Rotie La Belle Helene
Grape
Syrah
Its Origins
The Ogier family have been established growers in Ampuis for over seven generations, but it was only in the 1980s that they began vinifying their own grapes. Stéphane joined the family estate in 1997, working alongside his father Michel, before taking over in 2003. Heralded by some as the face of the Northern Rhône’s new generation, he continues to go from strength to strength. His magnificent new winery allows him to vinify by parcel – a fundamental principle for his project and long-term vision. There is no flight toward volume and anonymity; quite the contrary, and it is exciting indeed. Stéphane studied in Beaune, and he brings this Burgundian approach to terroir to the region. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the particularities of each to show. (BBR)
What The Critics Say
100/100 Jeb Dunnuck
"A genuine treasure of the estate, this legendary cuvée symbolizes the excellence of the terroir of Côte Brune. Power and emotions mix in this exceptional wine, with finesse and poetry. Pure perfection in a glass, the 2018 Côte Rôtie La Belle Hélène is all Syrah mostly from the Rozier lieu-dit (there’s a tiny amount from Landonne) that was not destemmed and was brought up in a mix of demi-muids and Burgundy barrels, all of which were once- or twice-used. A wine that will stop any Côte Rôtie lover in their tracks, it has a heavenly bouquet of ripe red, blue, and black fruits as well as spicy, cured meat, chocolate, and ground pepper-like nuances that develop beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins and perfect balance, it’s a wine that delivers an incredible amount of intensity and richness, yet with purity and elegance. Legendary juice, it warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will be a 30-year wine!"
98+/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski
"The hugely concentrated and rich 2018 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene is even more impressive this year than last. Cedar and baking spices accent ripe blackberries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is impressively velvety and textured. It's maybe not as nuanced and charming as either the La Cote Blonde or Lancement bottlings but is impressive for its scale and power allied to a fine sense of balance." Drink 2025 - 2040
98/100 The Wine Cellar Insider, Jeff Leve
“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 2030 - 2055
| Variety | Shiraz / Syrah |
|---|---|
| Region | Rhone |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Maturity | 2025 - 2055 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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