Maison Stephan Cote Rotie Coteaux de Bassenon, Rhone, France 2022

Having vinified over 30 vintages of Côte-Rôtie, Jean-Michel Stephan is one of the true masters of natural winemaking in the Northern Rhône. His wines have a vivacious purity that make them instantly identifiable, marked by a balance of energy and transcendence that comes from a lifetime pursuit of his vision to craft flawless wines with absolutely no additives.

Côte-Rôtie 'Coteaux de Bassenon' 2022 is a powerful yet beautifully refined expression of northern Rhone Syrah from the steep granite slopes of Cote‑Rotie. Crafted by the meticulous Maison Stephan, the 2022 vintage opens with intense aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and violet layered with notes of smoked meat, cracked pepper, and subtle olive tapenade. The palate is deep and structured, with finely grained tannins supporting concentrated dark fruit and a distinctive mineral edge from the hillside terroir. Complex, savory, and elegantly balanced, this Cote‑Rotie delivers both immediate appeal and the structure to evolve beautifully with cellar aging.