Domaine Stéphane Ogier : La Combe de Malleval 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of La Combe de Malleval 2023 from Domaine Stéphane Ogier

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a pale yellow hue, both clear and bright, with golden highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of stone fruit such as apricot and peach. It then gains complexity with floral touches of acacia and hints of citrus, all subtly underscored by aromas of honey and vanilla.

Palate
On the palate, the wine offers a silky, supple texture, revealing a generous profile. Flavors of white peach and apricot coat the palate, perfectly balanced by a well-judged acidity. The finish, with lovely persistence, lingers on delicate mineral and saline notes.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with freshwater fish served with a light sauce, pike quenelles, or even frog legs. For dessert, it will beautifully complement a fruit tart.

Service and storage

La Combe de Malleval 2023 is ready to be enjoyed today, but will continue to evolve favorably in the cellar until around 2031.

The elegance and aromatic complexity of a Condrieu white wine

The estate

Located in Ampuis, in the Rhône Valley, Domaine Stéphane Ogier embodies viticultural excellence through seven generations of family history. Although the family has cultivated vines for a long time, the estate's true establishment as an independent domain dates back to 1983, under the impetus of Michel Ogier. Today, his son Stéphane Ogier has been at the helm of the estate since 1997. Drawing on his experience, he manages a fragmented vineyard of 45 hectares spread across several appellations. The estate stands out for its rigorous plot-by-plot approach and its commitment to revealing the authenticity of each Rhône terroir.

The vineyard

This French white wine comes from the Condrieu appellation. The grapes come specifically from the "Veauvignière" plot in the commune of Malleval and "La Combe" in Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf. The vines thrive on steep terraces, locally known as "chayées," with slopes that can reach fifty percent. South-facing, this terroir is characterized by granite soils offering excellent drainage. All vineyard work and harvesting are carried out by hand.

The vintage

The year 2023 was marked by variable weather conditions, beginning with an unstable spring that disrupted flowering in some areas. The middle of the season also saw unpredictable weather. Despite these challenges, this vintage proved particularly favorable, yielding berries at optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

For the La Combe de Malleval 2023 cuvée, the berries undergo direct pressing to gently extract the juice. Fermentation is initiated using indigenous yeasts in large-capacity vessels, including 350-liter barrels and wooden foudres. The wine then undergoes eight months of aging on fine lees, with no bâtonnage.

Grape variety

100% Viognier