Stephane Ogier, Cote Rotie 2010

The largest cuvee (20,000 bottles) is the 2010 Cote Rotie Classique, Stephane Ogier’s “greatest vintage to date.” Seventy percent of the fruit comes from their holdings on the Cote Brune. It boasts a dense purple color along with a sweet nose of asphalt, licorice, forest floor, blackberries, cassis and bouquet garni, sensational concentration and sweet tannins. The structure, freshness and minerality suggest another 3-4 years of cellaring may be beneficial. It has 25 years of potential evolution.

Inky purple. Cassis, candied cherry and red berry skin aromas are lifted by an intense floral note. Supple and appealingly sweet, with spicecake and floral nuances adding complexity to the sappy red berry flavors. Youthfully taut but very pure. Finishes very long, with silky, harmonious tannins and lingering flavors of red fruits and licorice pastille.