Stéphane Ogier - L'Âme Soeur 2018

Stéphane Ogier’s ambition is evident not only in the quality of his wines but also in his new winery—a magnificent facility designed to vinify his Côte-Rôtie and Seyssuel terroirs on a plot-by-plot basis. Barrel aging is expertly managed through extended aging periods. A reliable source of excellent Syrahs from the northern Rhône, prized by top sommeliers and wine merchants around the world.

Wine lovers who prefer their Syrah with more acidity and red fruit should try the 2018 L'Âme Sœur Syrah from Seyssuel. Vibrant raspberries emerge on the nose, accented by notes of peppery spices, licorice, and mocha. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, concentrated, and richly textured, with slightly dusty tannins that linger on the finish. It seems a bit more robust and rich than the last time I tasted it, but it retains plenty of charm. Best enjoyed over the next decade.

Sessuel's Syrah, from the left bank of the Rhône, offers a beautiful expression of Syrah that is both fruity and spicy.

Since 2014, Stéphane Ogier has been making wine in an ultra-contemporary winery in Ampuis, where he gives free rein to his creative talent. Of the 18 hectares cultivated by this estate, 3.5 hectares are located on exquisite plots in Côte-Rôtie. Stéphane joined his father Michel in 1997 after studying oenology in Beaune, where he developed a taste for elegance and finesse. The wines are made from partially destemmed grapes (50% whole-cluster fermentation in the Lancement cuvée). The precision of recent vintages, the rigorous selection of single-vineyard cuvées, and the style the wines now exhibit place the estate among the elite, with a third star now within reach.