1999 Cote Rotie Belle Helene
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Côte Rôtie La Belle Hélène also has elevated acidity, yet it brings another level of density and depth. An almost La Landonne-like bouquet of darker currants, smoked meats, truffly earth, and smoked game gives way to a medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated Côte Rôtie revealing resolved tannins, good mid-palate density, and again, high acidity that carries through the finish. This layered, complex, mature Côte Rôtie should keep for another decade. This is also the first vintage that was raised all in new French oak.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The finest Cote Roties Ogier has made (and he agrees) are the 1999s. The perfect 1999 Cote Rozier Cuvee Belle Helene is a seamless, majestic classic with the kind of concentration found only in Guigal's top cuvees. It boasts gorgeously sweet tannin, enormous levels of both extract and concentration, and is not only a tour de force in winemaking, but a huge Cote Rotie Syrah fruit bomb with massive glycerin, layers of extract, and plenty of toasty new oak, which is marvelously integrated given the fact that it spent 30 months in 100% new wood barrels prior to being bottled without filtration. This outstanding effort requires 5-6 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030. Bravo! Michel Ogier and his son, Stephane, are producing spectacular wines. The only problem is that production is small. As I indicated last year, Ogier's 1999s are magical. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083
The finest Cote Roties Ogier has made (and he agrees) are the 1999s. The perfect 1999 Cote Rozier Cuvee Belle Helene is a seamless, majestic classic with the kind of concentration found only in Guigal's top cuvees. It boasts gorgeously sweet tannin, enormous levels of both extract and concentration, and is not only a tour de force in winemaking, but a huge Cote Rotie Syrah fruit bomb with massive glycerin, layers of extract, and plenty of toasty new oak, which is marvelously integrated given the fact that it spent 30 months in 100% new wood barrels prior to being bottled without filtration. This outstanding effort requires 5-6 years of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030. Bravo! Michel Ogier and his son, Stephane, are producing spectacular wines. The only problem is that production is small. As I indicated last year, Ogier's 1999s are magical. Wine Advocate.April, 2002