2007 L'Ame Soeur Seyssuel

Vivid ruby. Intense, mineral-driven aromas of red berry preserves, cherry, Asian spices and cracked pepper. Lively strawberry and raspberry flavors gain depth with air, taking a turn to blackberry and picking up a suave floral note on the back end. Impressively pure wine with strong finishing cut and lingering sweetness.

The 2007 Syrah l’Ame Soeur is another full-bodied, deeper effort displaying a dark ruby/purple color, plenty of smoky spice, spring flower, cassis, and cherry characteristics, and a delicious, seductive style. It should be consumed over the next 2-3 years. (Not yet released) The Ogier family is a fabulous success story in the northern Rhone. As I have frequently written over the last 30 years, a family of vignerons selling their entire production to negociants, gradually begins to estate bottle, first the father, Michel, and more recently the ambitious and talented son, Stephane. The results are extraordinary wines that thrill consumers. The Ogiers have taken a strong position in Syrah vineyards planted on the hillside terraces outside the old Roman city of Vienne, a few miles north of Cote Rotie. The have two totally different terroirs, La Rosine, which is Syrah planted on granite, and l’Ame Soeur, Syrah planted on schist. Both are very fine, value-priced offerings that offer a faithful introduction into the Ogier winemaking philosophy as well as to northern Rhone Syrah. The 2007 vintage was largely damaged by hail in Cote Rotie, but much of the crop was saved by three weeks of the gusty northern winds known as the Mistral in the south that occurred in September, following horrible weather in August. The vintage turned out to be far better than expected. At the time of my visit to Ogier they were leaning toward not making a Lancement in 2007 because of hail damage. They were strongly considering declassifying that wine and blending it with the Cote Rotie. The most limited production offering is named after Michel Ogier’s charming wife, Helene. It comes closest in style to Guigal’s single vineyard Cote Rotie La Turque. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

Bright ruby. Alluring, expansive aromas of raspberry, Asian spices, minerals and potpourri. Nervy and finely etched, offering vibrant red berry flavors and zesty minerality. The spicy notes return on the finish, which is impressively pure and long. This could easily stack up against most Cote-Roties.