Michel & Stephane Ogier Le Temps est Venu Blanc Cotes du Rhone AOP

Located in Ampuis, the Ogier family are well established and have been growing and selling grapes in the Northern Rhone for many years, (mostly to Guigal & Chapoutier) before Michel Ogier started vinifying their own grapes in 1987. Stéphane joined the family estate in 1997, working alongside his father Michel, before taking over in 2005. Since then has established himself as one of the great names in Rhone and in particular around his single site Syrah’s in his home commune of Cote Rôtie.
Stéphane studied in Beaune, and he brings this Burgundian approach to his wines of the region and it’s terriors. He works with multiple lieux-dits, both in and out of the appellation, vinifying each separately and using oak sparingly to allow the nuances of each style to show. He is widely heralded as the face of the Northern Rhône’s new generation, and continues to go from strength to strength!

The “Le Temps Est Venu” (French for “the time has come”) comes from vines located near the town of Visan in the southern Rhone, all with around 20 years of age. The blend of grapes (60% Grenache Blanc, 20% Roussanne, and Marsanne, Viognier Bourboulenc and Clairette all 5%) gives the wine an array of aromas and flavours

Tasting Note:
A rich and full bodied white wine and at 14% alcohol, this is not a light and flimsy wine – there is texture here and with a palate weight that isn’t overbearing but shows the punch and depth you would expect from white Rhone varieties.
On the nose you’ll find compelling notes of honeysuckle, peach, fresh apricot, yellow plum and ginger. The palate remains remarkably fresh and clean with wonderful mineral components. The peach, fresh apricot, yellow plum follow through with precise clarity and the wine finishes clean and dry. It is definitely pleasant to drink in the short term but it can also be cellared for a few years so that it’s aromas and flavours can develop some more complexity.