Cote Rotie La Belle Helene Michel & Stephane Ogier 2010

Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie La Belle Hélene 2010 is a full-bodied single-vineyard red wine produced from Syrah grapes in the Northern Rhône Valley of France. Prior to 1987, Domaine Michel Ogier sold the entirety of its harvest to negociants and it was not really until Stéphane Ogier joined the family business in 1997 that their status really began to take off. With a complete renovation of the cellars in the early 2000s and the introduction of several new cuvées, they are now considered amongst the finest producers in the region. Côte-Rôtie Belle Helene is produced from the best 0.5-hectare parcel of near century-old Syrah vines on Côte Rozier with production limited to between 150 and 200 cases per year. "The 2010 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene is perfection. In this vintage, Ogier cut back the barrel aging time from 32 months in largely new oak casks to 18 months. Ogier’s remarkable flexibility depending on vintage conditions and the quality of the fruit is admirable. He thinks this may be the greatest bottle of wine he has ever made, and it’s hard to disagree. An inky/purple color is followed by notes of pen ink, graphite, forest floor, licorice and abundant black and blue fruits. There is little evidence of new oak because of the extravagant richness and wealth of ripe fruit. The tannins, acidity, alcohol and wood are perfectly integrated into this exceptional wine. It will benefit from 5-6 years of cellaring and keep for 25-30+ years." 100 points, Wine Advocate, 2012