Côte Rôtie “L’Ultime” AOC 2021

Wine description for Côte Rôtie “L’Ultime” AOC 2021 by Maison Stephan

Colour & appearance

A vibrant purple that seems to pulse in the glass, shot through with violet reflections and bright highlights – a colour that speaks of both youth and concentration.

Nose

A perfume of mysterious depth: fresh rosehip and rooibos tea meet black pepper, juniper and allspice. Above them hover floral notes of hibiscus and pansy, whilst damp forest floor, pine bark and an iron-rich, almost sanguine minerality lend tension. Dark fruits – sour cherries, elderberry, blackberry – linger in the background, generous yet restrained.

Palate

The fruit bursts forth on entry: a generous gulp of elderberry juice, enveloped in fine-grained tannins and a racy acidity that electrifies the wine. Despite its density, it moves with a lightness of foot, displaying a bittersweet interplay of fruit and tannin that coats the mouth perfectly.

Finish

It lingers for minutes – Mediterranean, invigorating, refreshing, with a whole spectrum of ethereal aromas coming to the fore on the aftertaste.

Terroir & origin

From the steepest terraces of Côte-Rôtie, where granite and gneiss soils nourish deep-rooted vines. The south-east-facing slopes capture the sun, whilst cool northerly winds maintain balance. Vines up to 125 years old, planted across 4.5 hectares, yield tiny crops averaging just 17 hl/ha.

Grape variety & vinification

A blend of Sérine – the ancient, autochthonous form of Syrah – and Viognier. Following a cold maceration of whole bunches, fermentation proceeds via semi-carbonic maceration with regular pumping over and punch-downs. Maturation takes place over 24 months in oak casks from the Tronçais forest – with no additives whatsoever, no sulphur, no filtration.

Food recommendations

A wine for braised ox cheek with root vegetable purée, for roasted beef fillet with potato and truffle gratin, or for oven-roasted beetroot with pine nuts and basil pesto.

Special features

Jean-Michel and Romain Stephan preserve the genetic heritage of the Sérine vine through meticulous massale selection. Since 1997, they have farmed here with an uncompromising commitment to natural methods – the result is a wine of vibrant purity and near-electric energy, ranking among the most authentic expressions of Côte-Rôtie.