Domaine Stéphane Ogier : La Combe de Malleval 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for La Combe de Malleval 2021 from Domaine Stéphane Ogier

Tasting

Color

The color shows a bright golden-yellow hue, lifted by subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of stone fruit, notably fresh nectarine and apricot. Floral nuances of white blossoms mingle with mineral touches evoking flint, complemented by citrus aromas and delicate herbal notes.

Palate

The attack is silky, unveiling generous richness through the mid-palate. The structure favors a striking vertical tension, supported by pronounced acidity that brings definition and elegance to the whole. Mineral flavors take the lead, alongside white-fleshed fruit, creating a harmonious balance between richness and freshness. The finish lingers beautifully, leaving mineral and floral impressions and a subtle fruity sweetness.

Food and wine pairings

This Condrieu pairs magnificently with delicate shellfish such as langoustines and scallops. It also matches superbly with noble fish like sole or turbot, as well as poultry in a light sauce. Asian dishes with gentle spices, coconut milk, or citrus find an ideal partner in this wine.

Serving and cellaring

La Combe de Malleval 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 11 and 12°C. Brief aeration before serving allows it to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2027, or even beyond under optimal cellaring conditions.

A high-altitude Condrieu with mineral accents from the Rhône Valley

The estate

For 6 generations, the Ogier family has been among the leading producers of great wines from the Rhône Valley. After studying viticulture and oenology, and gaining extensive experience both in Burgundy and abroad, Stéphane Ogier joined the family estate in 1997 alongside his father, Michel Ogier. Produced in limited quantities and showcasing the purest expression of their original terroir through parcel-by-parcel vinifications, the wines of Domaine Stéphane Ogier are renowned for their finesse and elegance.

The vineyard

The La Combe de Malleval vineyard spans two plots located in the southern part of the Condrieu appellation: Veauvignière in Malleval and La Combe in Saint-Pierre-de-Bœuf. Perched between 300 and 350 meters above sea level, these plots benefit from an elevated position that encourages marked diurnal temperature swings and extends the growing season. Granite soils at various stages of decomposition give the wine its signature mineral tension. The vines, around 25 years old, are planted at a high density of 10,000 vines per hectare and farmed according to sustainable viticulture principles. Manual harvesting with double sorting ensures rigorous grape selection.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Rhône Valley (Northern Rhône) was marked by a harsh winter with episodes of spring frost. June and July proved particularly rainy, followed by weather instability from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these contrasting conditions, the high-altitude parcels demonstrated their resilience, allowing gradual ripening and the harvest of balanced grapes combining freshness and aromatic maturity.

Winemaking and aging

After manual harvesting and double sorting, the grapes for La Combe de Malleval 2021 are pressed directly. Fermentation takes place in large wooden vessels (foudres or large barrels) with indigenous yeasts. The wine then undergoes ten months of aging on fine lees in large foudres or 500-liter barrels, a technique that enriches texture and develops aromatic complexity while preserving the finesse of the viognier.

Grape variety

100% viognier