Côte-Rôtie 'Coteaux de Bassenon' 2019, Maison Stéphan

A monumental, unadulterated natural wine from the northern Rhône. The Côte-Rôtie 'Coteaux de Bassenon' 2019 by Maison Stéphan originates on the steep, sun-drenched granite terraces of Côte-Rôtie’s southernmost lieu-dit. Featuring ancient vines dating back as far as 1896, yields here are scarce, deeply rooted, and extraordinarily powerful. This unfiltered cuvée with zero added sulfites captures the raw, untamed essence of its origins.

On the nose, the wine immediately reveals captivating complexity: intense blackcurrant, wild blackberry, violet, dried garrigue, cracked black pepper, and signature smokiness. On the palate, it is concentrated, incisive, and profound. The Viognier proportion lends a floral lift and refined freshness to the intense Syrah and ancient Serine. Ripe yet firm tannins blend with nuances of bitter dark chocolate and spices, driving an endless mineral-driven finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: Sourced from steep, terraced slopes in the lieu-dit 'Coteaux de Bassenon' (Côte-Rôtie) on nutrient-poor, mineral-dense soils of granite, migmatite, and biotite.
• Grape Blend & Heritage: 40% Syrah, 40% Serine (the authentic, historic clone of Syrah), and 20% Viognier from historic vines planted between 1896 and 1989.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested on precipitous slopes. Partial carbonic maceration and spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts with whole clusters and stems. Aged for 24 months in neutral French oak barrels from the Tronçais forest.
• Sustainability: Bottled under strict natural wine principles: unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfites (sans soufre ajouté).
• Tasting Profile: Powerful, smoky, floral, and deeply concentrated. Notes of blackcurrant, violet, black pepper, garrigue, dark chocolate, and a complex mineral finish.
• Ageing Potential: A meditative experience now, with the structural concentration to evolve gracefully over 10 to 20 years in a cool cellar.

Food Pairing

• Game & Red Meats: Outstanding alongside wild duck with figs and sage, roasted leg of lamb with rosemary, or rich game stews.
• Mushrooms & Truffle: Excellent match for a concentrated wild mushroom ragout or truffle risotto.
• Cheese: Ideal with rich, assertive cheeses such as aged Comté, mature goat cheese, or washed-rind Époisses.
• Vegetarian: Pairs wonderfully with roasted eggplant topped with za'atar, garlic, and pomegranate.
• Serving Suggestion: Decanting 1 to 2 hours prior to serving at 16°C to 18°C in generous Rhône or Burgundy crystal glasses is highly recommended.

The Terroir of Coteaux de Bassenon

Coteaux de Bassenon is situated at the southernmost boundary of the Côte-Rôtie AOC. The dizzyingly steep terraces feature soils composed of weathered granite, migmatite, and dark biotite. This harsh, rocky subsoil forces ancient roots deep into the rock fissures, resulting in extremely low yields and a signature smoky-mineral drive.

About Maison Stéphan

Established by Jean-Michel Stéphan in the 1990s, Maison Stéphan stands as a founding pioneer of the natural wine movement in the northern Rhône. Inspired by Jules Chauvet, Jean-Michel eschewed synthetic chemicals, cultured yeasts, and sulfites from the beginning. By preserving ancient Serine clones and practicing low-intervention gravity-fed winemaking, Maison Stéphan creates uncompromising, pure, and iconic terroir wines.