2023 Stéphane Ogier, Côtes du Rhône Rouge “Le Temps Est Venu” Rhône Valley, France.
Perfect on a chilly Fall evening with an outside meal, the generous dark purple/garnet hued Grenache/Syrah Le Temp Est Venu Côtes du Rhône rose to the occasion and delivered a generous mouth filling full bodied palate of deep red fruits, a touch of peppery spice, mocha, garrigue, black licorice and crushed lilacs. The rich and ripe boysenberry, raspberry, red currant and plum fruit is supported by supple, almost velvety tannins, making this Côtes du Rhône feel like a modern, cleanly presented, easy to love baby Châteauneuf and a very solid effort and value. Mostly Grenache at least 60%, with the rest Syrah, is sourced from 30 to 50 year old vines set on sandy soils over limestone and clay, the Le Temps Est Venu is whole bunch fermented in temperature regulated concrete tanks, with natural yeasts and then aged 10 months in the concrete tanks. Stéphane Ogier looks to make wines of freshness and clarity, and this one is delicious and while he’s known obviously for Syrah, his Grenache is beautifully done here.
The Ogier family has been rooted in Ampuis, and the heart of the fabled Côte Rône, or Roasted Slope, for seven generations now, and since he was about six years old, current owner and winemaker Stéphane Ogier knew he was going to be a winemaker. He followed in his winemaker father Michel’s footsteps and began his journey into the world of wine with a confident belief in himself and the place. Interestingly enough in 1997, after completing his oenological studies in Beaune, where he was in the capital of Burgundy and Pinot Noir, Stéphane gained a new perspective and formally joined the family estate and in the last 20 years has become one of the region’s top producers. The Ogier domaine crafts their wines from about 27 acres of vineyards, including some of the most famous Côte-Rôtie sites, such as Lancement, Côte-Rozier, and La Viallière. Also, other from his top Côte-Rôtie wines, Ogier makes this tasty Côtes du Rhône Le Temps est Venu and several basic Syrah wines like the L’Ame Soeur, and my favorite La Rosine, plus he does an outstanding Condrieu. Thanks Cella Restaurant in Monterey for always having an interesting selection of affordable treats and tip top service!
($22 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive