Côte Rôtie AOC 2017

Dark purple with a purple rim and opaque core, the wine is clear and bright in the glass.

Devil too!

This is the olfactory equivalent of the sensation of the first guitar riff, to sound out the prowess of the newly acquired Marshall Amps amp. Dark, loud and rich. At the same time, however, polished to the smallest detail of subtlety and meticulously accurate.

The epitome of a black heart cherry combines with blackberry and mulberry. Those are refreshed by ginger, turmeric and tangerine, as well as Earl Grey with bergamot and some freshly baked wholemeal scones on the coffee table. Fragrant aromas of peonies show up only after some time.

It is definitely necessary to do justice to this wine by aerating it in good time before enjoying it.

Self-confidently at ease, the 2017 Côte-Rôtie from Maison Stephan overwhelms the palate with determination and friendly charm. Wonderfully slender, its soft yet juicy body winds down the throat, lasciviously allowing the gustatory imagination to wander into frivolity.

Do you want to stop...

Velvety, yet fine-grained tannins dress it outrageously coherent and exemplary precious. A stringent, yet always taking by the hand, leading acidity guides the ripe dark berry fruit of the wine towards the light. It gives it, with all its density, depth and length, an unexpectedly light-footed grace.