Stéphane Ogier, La Belle Hélène, Côte-Rôtie

Decanter average score: 98/100pts

Individual judges’ scores: Christian Honorez 98 Tanguy Martin 98

Matt Walls 98

£300 Montrachet Fine Wine

The Ogiers previously sold the grapes from their family-run estate to Chapoutier and Guigal, but began to produce their own wines in the 1980s. Stéphane Ogier studied in Beaune for five years and spent time in South Africa before joining his father Michel in the business in 1997. He is one of Côte-Rôtie’s youngest yet highest-regarded winemakers.

From the Côte-Rozier vineyard, La Belle Hélène is only made in very good years. The wine sees 30 months of ageing in new oak, with a maxiumum of 2,100 bottles produced each vintage.

Christian Honorez Lovely perfumed nose, so expressive with violet and a mix of spices. Incredible flavours, complex and lengthy. So much there; some meat, iodine, other minerals, flowers. Exceptional.

Tanguy Martin Aromas of confit fruits, mature and ripe notes, dark berries dominating. Full-bodied with sweet notes of ripe fruits on the dark side: black berries and spices. The wine is generous with crunchy texture and has real potential.

Matt Walls Remarkably darkly coloured still. Very spicy and open, relatively dark fruited, with menthol, blackberry and blackcurrant leaf. A really inviting, complex nose. Full-bodied, thick with rich fruit, so velvety and juicy. Lovely texture, glove leather and velvet, and a long finish. Really vibrant, highly complex, powerful and majestic.

Drink 2020-2031 Alcohol 13%