98+ points, Wine Advocate
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97 points, Wine Spectator
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96-97 points, Vinous
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95 points, Decanter
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94-96 points, Wine Advocate
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100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
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About the Wine
Critic Reviews
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
98+ points, Wine Advocate
97 points, Wine Spectator
96-97 points, Vinous
95 points, Decanter
94-96 points, Wine Advocate
“Pure perfection in a glass, the 2018 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene is all Syrah mostly from the Rozier lieu-dit (there’s a tiny amount from Landonne) that was not destemmed and was brought up in a mix of demi-muids and Burgundy barrels, all of which were once- or twice-used. A wine that will stop any C te R tie lover in their tracks, it has a heavenly bouquet of ripe red, blue, and black fruits as well as spicy, cured meat, chocolate, and ground pepper-like nuances that develop beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins and perfect balance, it’s a wine that delivers an incredible amount of intensity and richness, yet with purity and elegance. Legendarily juicy, it warrants 7-8 years of bottle age and will be a 30-year wine!”
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2018 Côte-Rôtie La Belle Hélène has closed up slightly since release, and while it’s more concentrated than the 2017, it doesn’t have the blockbuster style of the 2015 and comes closest in style to the 2009 with its sunny, exotic, incredibly impressive style. Ripe black fruits, smoky oak, smoked meats, truffle, and lead pencil notes emerge on the nose. These carry to a full-bodied, rich, powerful 2018 with ultra-fine tannins, beautiful purity, and flawless overall balance. It’s young yet already showing remarkable complexity and nuance and is an incredible drinking experience. However, it’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and will be a 30- or 40-year wine.”
98+ points, Wine Advocate
“The hugely concentrated and rich 2018 C te-R tie La Belle H l ne is even more impressive this year than last. Cedar and baking spices accent ripe blackberries on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is impressively velvety and textured. It's maybe not as nuanced and charming as either the La Cote Blonde or Lancement bottlings but is impressive for its scale and power allied to a fine sense of balance.”
97 points, Wine Spectator
"A showstopper, with extraordinary concentration, there is a lot to unpack here. Inky and dense, with plush black fruit and savory mineral energy dueling for the lead. Racy and muscular, with licorice and charred garrigue lining the powerful finish. Despite its weight, this boasts textural purity and approachability (though patience will be rewarded). Best from 2025 through 2045. —K.B."
96-97 points, Vinous
“Highly perfumed dark berry, floral, smoky mineral and exotic spice scents show excellent clarity and a hint of smokiness. Sweet, palate-staining blackberry, cherry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors deepen slowly with air and take on a licorice note on the back half. Rich but energetic as well, finishing with firm back-end cut on a strikingly persistent finish, which features fine-grained tannins and sexy floral notes. This is an especially elegant rendition of this bottling, which is sourced from the Roziers lieu-dit.”
95 points, Decanter
“This is very complete, round and sweetly fruited. There is a great depth of fruit with a good mass of dense, juicy, chewy tannins but there is considerable alcohol in this vintage, and the acidity is on the low side. Great vinosity, lush and powerful with immense length. From the oldest vines from the Côte-Rozier, 100% whole bunch, 80-years-old, named after Stéphane’s mother.”
94-96 points, Wine Advocate
“The 2018 Côte Rôtie La Belle Hélène borders on being just too much. It’s full-bodied, super ripe and even a bit jammy and fudgelike, yet it’s also velvety, plush and powerful—a mocha-tinged freight train of a Côte Rôtie that delivers waves of mouthfilling undeniable pleasure.”
About The Winery
The Ogier family has been rooted in Ampuis for seven generations. From the age of six, current owner and winemaker Stéphane knew he wanted to follow in his winemaker father's footsteps. In 1997, after completing his oenological studies in Beaune, Stéphane formally joined the family estate. The domaine produces wines from 27 acres of vineyards in some of the most famous Côte-Rôtie areas, such as Lancement, Côte-Rozier, and La Viallière. Aside from his Côte-Rôtie wines, Stéphane also produces a Côtes du Rhône (Le Temps est Venu) and several Syrah wines (L'Ame Soeur, La Rosine). In 20 years, total production has grown from 15,000 to 300,000 bottles. Today, the wines have become a reference point for the appellation and are sought after by the greatest chefs and most serious wine lovers around the world.
