Domaine Stéphane Ogier : Lancement 2016

Very alluring, with rooibos tea, savory, singed sandalwood and mesquite aromas swirling around, while the structured core of red currant and raspberry coulis, iron and tapenade waits its turn. The iron note really blazes brightly on the finish. For the cellar. Best from 2025 through 2038. 20 cases imported.

Oh yes, was all I could say after my initial sip. This has it all going on. The wine is full-bodied, intense, vibrant, silky, sensuous, and flamboyant. There is depth, complexity, and density, as well as balance. Multi-layered and multi-faceted, the wine leaves you with a cornucopia of red fruits that does not want to quit. Leave this for a decade and enjoy it for 20 years after that.

As always, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Lancement has the most complex, exotic, singular bouquet in the lineup. Massive notes of dried rose petals, black raspberries, passion fruits (there’s almost a tropical edge), and exotic flowers literally soar from the glass, and it continued to evolve and change as it sat in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, silky, and seamless, it’s all about elegance and nuance, while not lacking in intensity or depth. It will benefit from 2–4 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades.

A vineyard-peach fruit profile that’s very Syrah, very airy; this magnificent fragrance lingers on the palate with finesse and brilliance. The tannin is of rare elegance, and this taffeta-like touch lasts a long time. In this balanced, easy-drinking vintage, it already tastes excellent!

The palate opens with spicy notes, bacon and precious wood. The nose shows great finesse with luxurious oak that never feels overdone. The mouthfeel is broad and velvety, embodying the spirit and respect of a fair‑hued terroir, all in subtlety and voluptuousness. A delicate cuvée.

There's something about Ogier's Lancement that strikes a chord with me. The 2016 Cote Rotie Lancement lacks a bit of power, but oh my, is it a silky, sexy mouthful of wine. Roses, black tea and raspberries set the stage on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is supple, silky and complex. Just terrific stuff that's built more on elegance than power.

Very attractive nose; cedar, potpourri and incense. Full-bodied style of Côte-Rôtie, rounded and generous though only 13%. Bold and fruity, rich and opulent, plenty of resinous juniper notes on the palate. Mineral, saline finish helps to balance the richness. The finish might not be as long as his Côte Blonde, but it's bolder and richer. Vanilla pod on the finish. Gneiss soils, all destemmed.