2007 Cote Rotie Belle Helene

The 2007 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene (aged 100% in new oak) has shut down and while not as sexy at present as the Lancement or regular Cote Rotie, it is built like a skyscraper. With coaxing, notes of graphite, ink, black raspberries and black currants jump from the glass of this full-bodied, rich, heady, layered 2007. It reveals an unusually large amount of tannin and will benefit from 7-8 more years of bottle age. It should drink well for 20-25 years. I fully anticipate that the 2007 will last as long as the 2009. One of France’s most brilliant small artisanal wineries is that of the Ogier family in Ampuis, situated about six blocks north of Guigal’s vast network of underground cellars. The value picks are the wines made from the steep hillsides north of the old Roman settlement of Vienne. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

From the Côte Brune, the 2007 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Côte-Rôtie Cuvée la Belle Hélène is a bruiser and shows dense, rich aromatics of cassis and blackberries, raw meat, iron and blood. Masculine and powerful, this sports a medium to full bodied, dense palate with rugged structure, serious depth and a long finish that has loads of ripe tannin. In complete contrast to the Lancement, this need 3 to 5 years in the cellar and then should drink well over the following 15 to 20. Well done!