Maison Stephan Côte-Rôtie 2016

Maison Stephan Côte-Rôtie 2016 is a vivid, characterful expression of the northern Rhône, crafted from Syrah with a hint of Viognier to lift its aromatics. Even after several years in bottle it remains energetic and a touch wild, offering all the charm of a top Côte-Rôtie in its youthful, structured phase. This cuvée stands out for its natural, unvarnished style and its ability to combine dark fruit depth with striking freshness and floral elegance, echoing the traditional, long-lived wines that made the appellation famous.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Maison Stephan Côte-Rôtie shows a deep, dark ruby hue with violet reflections, signalling both concentration and youth. The nose is intensely expressive: layers of cassis, elderberry and blueberry are interwoven with balsamic, green-herbal notes of lemon balm, mint and sorrel. As it opens, warmer, floral tones emerge—violet, lilac and other blue flowers—adding a seductive lift and complexity to the darker fruit core. On the palate, the wine mirrors this interplay of fruit and freshness. Juicy black and blue berries are framed by a vibrant acidity that keeps everything taut and lively. The tannins are still a touch youthful and slightly green-edged, contributing to the wine’s sense of energy and structure rather than weight. There is a clear, precise line on the palate, with herbal and floral nuances returning on the long, persistent finish. While already highly enjoyable for those who appreciate a wine with angles and edges, this 2016 clearly has the stuffing to evolve beautifully; it should continue to gain harmony and complexity over the next 5–10 years, moving toward a perfectly poised, fully mature Côte-Rôtie.

Production
Domaine Jean-Michel Stephan works some of Côte-Rôtie’s classic steep slopes in the northern Rhône, where vines cling to terraced hillsides of schist and mica-schist overlooking the Rhône River. This rocky, heat-retaining terroir, combined with the cool continental influence and strong winds, yields Syrah of great aromatic intensity and natural freshness, with a small proportion of Viognier traditionally co-planted in the vineyards. Harvesting is done by hand due to the extreme gradients, allowing for careful selection of perfectly ripe, healthy bunches. True to the estate’s minimally interventionist philosophy, the grapes are typically fermented with whole clusters, encouraging spicy, floral complexity and a firm, ageworthy structure. Syrah and Viognier are co-fermented in the traditional Côte-Rôtie manner, and élevage takes place in neutral vessels or older barrels to preserve purity, without heavy oak imprint, resulting in a wine that transparently reflects its site and vintage.

Food & Serving
This Côte-Rôtie is a superb partner for refined yet flavorful dishes such as roast lamb with herbs, duck breast, venison or other game, as well as charcoal-grilled beef, lamb chops or Iberico pork. Earthy elements—wild mushrooms, truffles, lentil ragouts and root vegetables—also play beautifully with its dark fruit and herbal notes. Aged hard cheeses and charcuterie from the Rhône and surrounding regions make excellent companions as well. Serve at 16–18°C; in its current youthful phase, decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended to allow the tannins to soften and the floral and balsamic nuances to fully unfold.

Producer
Domaine Jean-Michel Stephan is a highly respected, small-scale grower in Côte-Rôtie, known among enthusiasts for crafting some of the most characterful and naturally styled wines of the appellation. Working vineyards on the region’s historic slopes, Stephan has long championed a low-intervention approach, emphasizing organic practices in the vines, hand work on the terraces and minimal inputs in the cellar. His wines have become benchmarks for those seeking an authentic, terroir-driven expression of northern Rhône Syrah, often highlighting the delicacy and perfume that made Côte-Rôtie legendary. Over the years, the domaine has earned a loyal following and critical praise for its purity, individuality and ability to age gracefully while remaining vibrantly alive in the glass.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.