Stéphane Ogier Saint Joseph Rouge Le Passage

Stéphane Ogier is the 7th generation of his family in Ampuis, the home of Côte Rôtie, and one of the most progressive winemakers in the northern Rhône. His impressive new winery at the southern end of Ampuis houses 24 tanks of varying sizes, allowing him to vinify each of his Côte Rôtie parcels separately, and he applies the same precision to his wines from neighbouring appellations.

Le Passage takes its name from the vineyards along the route to Malleval, in the heart of the Saint Joseph appellation, where Syrah is grown on steep granite slopes. The grapes are destemmed, fermented with native yeasts and aged in mostly older oak barrels, so the fruit and terroir come through. Expect black cherry, violets and black pepper, with hints of black olive and spice and a silky, rounded finish. Brilliant with rack of lamb, beef or game.