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Ogier La Rosine Syrah - the early years
Thousand Oaks, Ca
Tasted August 29, 2011 by Hodby with 784 views
Introduction
Curiosity for Ogier's young vine editions of his La Rosine bottling brought together ten diners and a roast chicken dinner. We start with Michel's first good vintage (from a fourth leaf crop, the 1994) and end with his eleventh (the 2001), sparing the group of the tangy '96 and weaker '97 releases...
Flight 1 (6 notes)
Red
1994 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
70 points
Watery light red-garnet. Nose of weak cherry, dusty books, olives. Low tannin, medium acidity. A bit too tangy of acidity for me, the wine seemed further past its peak than I'd have suspected possible; it's drinkable, but just that. Bottle #12 of twelve.
Red
1995 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
85 points
Medium-light red-garnet. Nose of cherry, camphor, dust and slight floral hints. Medium-low tannin, low aciidity. Chunky in the mouth of fruit and structure, the wine is hanging in there with enough fruit and herb to make having kept it this long worthwhile. From magnum.
Red
1998 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
89 points
Medium red, some garnet at edge. Lovely nose of violets, smoked meats, mixed garrigue. Low tannin, low acidity. Balanced in the mouth and supple, this bottle rewards the keeper just as hoped, with terrific fruit and secondary elements. Bottle # 10 of twelve.
Red
1999 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
88 points
Medium red. Somewhat primary nose of cherry, cranberry and herbs. Medium tannin, medium low acidity. The structure of this bottle is somewhat reluctant to release the fruit and its hold on development. It's a sturdy one. Bottle #16 of 24.
Red
2000 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
91 points
Medium-light red, very pale edged. Beautifully aromatic of garrigue, red fruits, tar, black pepper. Low tannin, medium-low acidity. Perched in a good drinking window, this bottle tells me the vintage is ready to drink up; the structure's light and everything's in place for current enjoyment. Bottle #9 of twelve.
Red
2001 Michel & Stéphane Ogier Syrah La Rosine
flawed
Corked badly. What disappointment, as it's from a fine vintage for the region and at such a promising age. Plus it's the one vintage not in the home cellarwith a back up bottle !