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SKU: 584102
Cote Rotie Cuvee Belle Helene Michel et Stephane Ogier 2020 (750ML)
$449.99
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Since 2017, new oak on Belle Hélène has dropped from 100% to 15–20%, and the stems stay in: the cuvée is fermented whole-cluster with native yeasts. It is entirely Syrah, from a half-hectare of the domaine’s oldest vines in the Côte Rozier lieu-dit, just above La Landonne, rooted in schist and mica-schist. 2020 was warm and dry, giving small, thick-skinned berries, and the wine spent 20 to 24 months in French barrels. About 2,200 bottles were made. Deeply colored, it offers cassis and black fruit, violets, graphite, iron, tobacco and cured meat, with a minty edge keeping it fresh. Full-bodied and upright, it carries big, firm tannins and a hint of warmth, all held in good balance. Critics suggest holding it until 2028 or later. Bring it out for slow-roasted lamb shoulder, cassoulet or saucisson sec.
Stock & Availability
Available
Country
France
Region
Rhone
Appellation
Cote Rotie
Color
Red
Varietal
Rhone Blend
Prearrival
No
Critic Reviews
Wine Advocate
99+ Points
99+ Points, Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Crafted from vines planted on Côte Rozier, a pure schist and mica-schists terroir, the 2020 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene emerges as a breathtaking contender for the vintage’s top wine. Offering up a charming, delicate, complex bouquet of iris, violets, dark berries, dark cherries and rose petals, complemented by subtle black truffle accents, it's full-bodied, layered and seamless, with a multidimensional core of fruit and filigreed, fine-grained tannins. It is supported by bright acids and superb dry extracts, giving it a vertical, ethereal finish. La Belle Helene is a cuvée that historically benefits from patience, representing one of the finest contemporary expressions of Côte-Rôtie I have encountered, and it stands on the brink of achieving a perfect score in the coming years." 05/25
Vinous Media
98 Points
98 Points, Nicolas Greinacher, Vinous: "The 2020 Côte-Rôtie La Belle Hélène is towering. Expressive ripe black fruits mingle with graphite, crushed violets, tobacco, cured meat, earth and melted licorice. Minty gradations add freshness and complexity. Offering a truly vertical sensation, the 2020 envelops the palate in a symphony of precisely sculpted flavors, refreshing acidity and neatly integrated oak. Full-bodied and utterly captivating, the 2020 La Belle Hélène cruises at a very high altitude. (Drink between 2030-2044)" 03/24
Jeb Dunnuck
99 Points
99 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Coming from three different sectors in the Côte Rozier lieu-dit, the 2020 Côte Rôtie La Belle Hélène is all about elegance and finesse, with gorgeous cassis and darker fruits supported by wildflowers, violets, rose petals, and subtle truffly earth and iron. It's full-bodied, incredibly layered, and concentrated, with flawless balance as well as ultra-fine tannins. This cuvée normally demands cellaring, but there’s a purity and seamlessness that makes it almost impossible to resist today. Nevertheless, do your best to hide bottles for at least 4-5 years. It will cruise in cold cellars over the following two decades. (Drink between 2028-2049)" 03/24
Decanter
97 Points
97 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: "Beautifully floral expression, bright acidity and great upright thrust. So juicy and powerful, but such finesse and lightness of touch, also. Big, driving, burly tannins and just a touch of raised alcohol peeping through, but this is forgivable given its excellence. Tannins still a touch green on the finish, but such a big, powerful and rich wine. 100% whole bunch from Côte Rozier. (Drink between 2028-2038)" 10/21
