Côte Rôtie „L’Ultime“ AOC 2021

Wine Description for Côte Rôtie „L’Ultime“ AOC 2021 by Maison Stephan

Colour & Appearance

Luminous purple with bright reflections and violet hues – a visual harbinger of the elegance that defines this wine.

Nose

Here unfolds a fascinatingly complex, almost mysterious aromatics. The wine reveals itself as iron-rich and bloody, underpinned with rosehip, rooibos tea and an impressive floral intensity of hibiscus and pansy. Damp forest floor, humus and pine bark lend the bouquet an earthy depth. Spice notes of black pepper, juniper and allspice meet subtle liquorice and cocoa butter nuances. In the background awaits an entire phalanx of dark fruits: morello cherries, elderberry, blackberry and plum – generous yet restrained in their expression.

Palate

The attack surprises with prominent elderberry fruit, perfectly framed by fine-grained tannins and racy acidity. The bloody character remains seductively present and immediately invites another sip. Despite dense aromatics, the wine moves with remarkable lightness. Earthiness and spice present themselves in pleasantly restrained form, whilst on the finish ethereal, Mediterranean aromas take the upper hand. The tannin clothes the mouth impeccably and creates together with the fruit a bitter-sweet moment of rare perfection.

Finish

Lingering for minutes, refreshingly invigorating with Mediterranean character and remarkable aromatic persistence.

Terroir & Origin

An assemblage from four vineyard sites on vines up to 125 years old with extreme slopes of 40%. The 4.5 hectares are distributed 87% across Côte Blonde (leucogneiss, dark granite, magnesium iron mica) and 13% across Côte Brune (slate). Microscopic yields of only 17 hl/ha.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Syrah (Massale/Serine selection) with Viognier. Uncompromising natural vinification: cold maceration of whole bunches, semi-carbonic fermentation, 24 months ageing in oak barrels from Tronçais. Zero sulphur, no filtration, no additives – pure low-intervention winemaking.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Braised ox cheek with root vegetable purée, pan-fried beef fillet with potato and truffle gratin, or vegetarian: oven-roasted beetroot with pine nuts and basil pesto.

Special Characteristics

An extraordinary Côte Rôtie that, with just 12.5% alcohol, proves that greatness comes not from power, but from finesse and precision. A masterpiece of natural winemaking.