Côte-Rôtie Les Massales Stéphane Othéguy 2010

Stéphane Othéguy, an ardent advocate of organic viticulture, grows wines in the prestigious appellations of Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint-Joseph. His property is used for mixed farming so 5 hectares of fruit trees, 5 hectares of woodland and 3 hectares of grassland can be found in addition to his 3-hectare vineyard. The wines are uncomplicated, very low in sulphur, and become more refined by the year. The extremely rare Condrieu is highly sought-after, as are all the other Serine-based cuvées (a local Syrah variety).

Les Massales is a rich cuvée which unveils pure aomas of lightly spiced black fruits. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a lovely lingering finish. This single-varietal wine is produced using Petite Serine, an extremely old variety of Syrah. The 60-year-old vines are cultivated in the area surround Ampuis. Yields are low, with organic viticulture and traditional, low-intervention vinification. A lovely wine to try after a decade or so of aging.