Domaine Stéphane Ogier : La Viallière 2016

Along with the other 2016s from Ogier, the 2016 Cote Rotie La Vialliere boasts gorgeous aromas of roses, tea leaves and raspberries. It's full-bodied, plush and velvety on the palate, with a long, cranberry-ish finish that shows great freshness and energy. This offering is attractive now, but I expect it will age gracefully for at least 15 years.

Sleek and refined in feel, with a mix of red and black cherry and currant puree notes racing through, laced with black tea, iron and bay leaf threads. An iron note extends the longest through the finish. Lovely. Best from 2022 through 2035. 150 cases imported.

It's a bouquet of red, white, and purple flowers backed up by all its layers of supple, silky, opulent red and black fruits. The berries are ripe, sweet, fresh, and display a gorgeous sense of purity, smoky accents, length and complexity. This is going to age and evolve for 2-3 decades without any trouble,

Lastly, the 2016 Côte Rôtie La Vialliere comes from a gem of a site located in the northern part of the appellation. It’s a balanced, complete Côte Rôtie that offers a complex bouquet (red and black fruits, spice, spring flowers, and game), medium to full body, terrific purity of fruit, and a seamless, elegant texture that just glides across the palate. It needs 2-4 years of bottle age but will keep for two decades.