2013 Condrieu, Les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay, Domaine Ogier
Critics reviews
Jeb Dunnuck - 30/12/2014
About this WINE
Domaine Stephane Ogier
The Ogier family had been established growers in Ampuis for over seven generations, but it was only in the 1980s that they began vinifying their own grapes. Stéphane joined the family estate in ’97, working alongside his father Michel, before taking over in 2003.
Heralded as the face of the Northern Rhône’s new generation, Stéphane continues acquiring new parcels and trying new techniques. He brings a Burgundian approach to the region’s terroir from his studies in Beaune. He works with multiple lieux-dits, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly. This allows the characteristics of each to show. He releases many wines as single lieu-dit bottlings later in the year and others he blends, selecting from different barrels to build a style representative of both his vision and the vintage. Stéphane’s latest investment includes vineyards in Rasteau, Cairanne, and Plan de Dieu in the Southern Rhône, bringing his total land-ownings there up to 50 hectares, all destined for his Côtes-du-Rhône offering.
Northern Rhône blend
A Northern Rhône blend is a wine made from grapes grown in the northern part of the Rhône Valley in France. This region is known for producing some of the world’s most acclaimed and distinctive wines.
The red blends typically revolve around the Syrah (Shiraz) grape. These wines are known for their deep colour, complex aromas of dark fruits, black pepper, floral notes, and a firm tannic structure. The most famous appellations for these wines include Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas. Côte-Rôtie often incorporates a small percentage of Viognier, adding floral and aromatic elements to the wine.
In the Northern Rhône, Viognier is the primary white grape variety. Viognier-based wines from appellations like Condrieu are highly aromatic, with flavours of stone fruits, floral notes and sometimes a hint of spice. These wines are often full-bodied and have a luxurious texture.
A unique characteristic of some Northern Rhône red wines is the co-fermentation of Syrah and Viognier grapes. This process involves fermenting the two grape varieties, resulting in wines seamlessly integrating Viognier’s aromatic qualities with Syrah’s structure and depth.
Northern Rhône blends are celebrated for their elegance, complexity, and terroir-driven characteristics. They are considered some of the finest examples of varietal wines produced in France and are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
One of the greatest of all Condrieus, its full name, appropriately enough, deferential to a member of the extended Vernay family, this wine is sourced from vines that were planted in 1948. Aged partly in 350-litre barrels and partly in larger 16-hectolitre foudres, the 2013 is rich yet energetic, spicy yet focused, with hints of exotic orange-like fruit tempered by a finish which recalls smoke and peat; a pleasing recollection of course.
Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer
Stéphane has come a long way in the 12 years or so that I have known him: he now has two children, an enviable reputation and a construction project to the south of Ampuis which will result in a winery to rival that of Messrs Guigal. He has also been buying land, which is no mean feat in Côte Rôtie. The challenge of 2013 centred on the cool weather in the middle of the season. Very late green harvesting and then a rapid harvest before the rains in October were key. I recall visiting during the harvest and witnessing a maelstrom of carefully choreographed activity, if you will pardon the apparent contradiction. The effort has certainly paid off. Even better, the sensational 2013 Condrieu les Vieilles Vignes de Jacques Vernay (not to be confused with George Vernay) comes from the granite soils of the La Combe lieu-dit, which is in the southern part of the appellation. Riper, richer and even more concentrated than the Combe de Malleval, it has awesome white peach, honeyed tangerine, white flowers and crushed rock to go with a seamless, elegant, full-bodied and mouth-filling profile on the palate. One of the vintage's greatest successes, it will drink well for 3-4 years.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate Issue#216 Dec 2014
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee