Domaine Ogier is one of the newest wine estates in the region. Although the Ogier family has grown grapes in the region for generations, Stephane's father, Michel, began to sell his own wines commercially only about 15 years ago. In that short period, Domaine Ogier has become known for stylish Cote-Rotie and is now firmly established amongst the finest growers. In addition, he also produces possibly the best value wine in the northern Rhone, La Rosine. From vines just outside the appellation of Cote-Rotie this pure Syrah offering is always an attractive wine, fresh and full of red fruits. Because of its minuscule production - the family owns just 6.5 hectares of vineyards and only 2.5 hectares (a little over 6 acres) in C?te-R?tie - Ogier wines, unfortunately, are hard to find.

"The father and son team of Michel and Stephane Ogier continues to produce some of the village's most riveting Cote Roties, as well as one of the areas best wine values, the 100% Syrah cuvee that come from a vineyard just outside the appellation. An 11,000 bottle cuvee aged in small barrels (10% new), La Rosine is better than many full fledged Cote Roties. It sees cold maceration and about 15% stems are included in the fermentation." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Cote Rotie la Belle Helene
Ogier's new Belle-Helene bottling, from 50-year-old petit serine vines in Cote Roziers and Cote Brune, gets an extra year of barrel aging (in 100% new oak).
1995 SOLD OUT

Cote Rotie Lamcement
2001 sold out

Cote Rotie les Embruns
2001 sold out
"In 2001 a negociant offering was introduced. The 2001 Cote Rotie Cuvee Embrunes emanates from vineyards in the Verenay sector, near one of the appellation?s greatest vineyards, Les Grandes Places. Aged half in new and half in used oak barrels, it possesses admirable sweetness and ripeness, an expansive texture, and plenty of the appellation?s classic typicity (black raspberries, white flowers, roasted herbs, and a hint of bacon fat). Consume it during its first 5-10 years of life." 89-91 Robert Parker, The Wine advocate #147

Cote Rotie
Although the Ogiers now do a longer cuvaison to gain fat and material, they stop punching down the cap as soon as the fermentation ends, relying instead on chapeau immerge (submerged cap) and remontage (pumping over) to aerate the must. The domain has also reduced the number of rackings during elevage to a bare minimum, an approach that more and more Rhone Valley producers are taking with Grenache as well as Syrah, especially when the wines are aged in small, new barrels.
2001 $67.99 limited
"Pure, expressive nose features raspberry, leather, brown spices, flowers and pepper. Lush but bright, with intense, highly aromatic flavors of dark berries, spices and pepper. Classy Cote-Rotie in the making, with a smooth texture and nicely integrated, firm tannins." 89-92 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
"Good red-ruby color. Nuanced aromas of raspberry, spices, mint, fresh herbs, pepper, leather and woodsmoke. Fat and sweet in the mouth, but the wine's firm acid spine and perfumed floral character give lift to the leather and pepper flavors. Finishes with fine tannins and repeating notes of pepper and flowers. Classic Cote-Rotie." 91 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-04
2000 $59.99 limited
"The 2000 Cote Rotie (a blend of three parcels) was made from 80% destemmed grapes. On my annual visit, Ogier told me that he may decide to back-blend the Cuvee Belle Helene, depending on how this wine evolves. It appears to have outstanding potential, but it is no sure thing at this point. A deep ruby color is followed by aromas of tapenade, black fruits, earth, meat, and herbs. It offers a sweet attack, low acidity, fine ripeness, medium body, and a round, generous finish." 88-90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #140
"Red-ruby. Spicy raspberry aroma complicated by subtle notes of smoked meat and pepper. Juicy and nicely delineated, with pure raspberry, leather and pepper flavors. Shows more intensity on the back half, finishing with firm tannins and good breadth and spicy sweetness. 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
1997 $39.99 very limited
750 cases made "The 1997 Cote Rotie may turn out to be outstanding. It displays a deep purple color, a sweet nose of smoke, pine needles, blackberry/cassis fruit, and a floral note. The wine has medium body, outstanding purity, a low acid, opulent texture, and admirable depth and length. Although some tannin is present, this beauty will drink well young, and last for 12-15 years." 88-90 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #121
"Good bright ruby for the vintage. Ripe but reticent aromas of violet pastille and spice; a bit less precise than the '98. Fat and sweet, with enough juicy balancing acidity to give shape to the wine's licorice-tinged flavors. This has excellent structure for '97 and should age well. Finishes with suave, sweet tannins and very good length. Much easier to taste today than the young '98. 90 Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-00

Syrah la Rosine
The la Rosine bottling from 12-year-old Syrah vines planted between Ampuis and Condrieu, which undergoes a three-week cuvaison with 50% of its stems and shows unusually complex aromatic character and lovely density and vinosity.
2002 $27.99
2001 $26.99 limited
"The most serious example since the brilliant 1999, the 2001 La Rosine Syrah VDP (fashioned from 14-year old vines) exhibits a deep ruby color in addition to a spicy, plump bouquet revealing scents of black currants, raspberries, Asian spice, licorice, pepper, and herbs. Soft, round, and delicious, it should drink well for 4-5 years, possibly longer." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #147
"Pure aromas of raspberry, pepper and leather. Juicy, fresh flavors of red berries and pepper, with lovely integrated acidity. Not a particularly deep wine but the tannins are ripe and round. Should offer early pleasure." Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 1/2-03
1998 $21.99 very limited
"The 1998 La Rosine Syrah's dark plum/ruby color is followed by a big, spicy, peppery, and berry-scented bouquet, notes of meat and animal, abundant fruit, good purity, and a crisp, tangy, slightly tannic finish. It should drink well for 3-4 years." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #133
1997 $21.99 very limited
"For value, Ogier's La Rosine Syrah is a wine to take seriously. Along with Auguste Clape's Cotes du Rhone (also made from 100% Syrah), it is one of the finest examples from the northern Rhone that can be purchased for a song. The 1997 La Rosine Syrah reveals terrific color, as well as jammy cassis fruit, a soft, easy-going, medium-bodied personality, and rustic tannin in the finish. It is an ideal gutsy bistro red to consume during its first 3-4 years of life." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #121