# Maison Stéphan Côte-Rôtie Côteaux de Bassenon (2022)

- **Producer:** Maison Stéphan
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sérine, Syrah, Viognier
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €135
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, violet, blackcurrant, blackberry, black pepper, smoke, cloves, chocolate, game

## About this wine

Maison Stéphan, located in Tupin-et-Semons at the southern edge of Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône Valley, was founded by Jean-Michel Stéphan in 1991 and is now managed alongside his son Romain. The Côteaux de Bassenon cuvée originates from a 1.7-hectare steep terraced vineyard on granitic dark migmatite soils with biotite and decomposed gneiss. The vineyard includes ancient massal selection Sérine vines planted as far back as 1896, cultivated organically and biodynamically entirely by hand or horse without synthetic inputs.

## Interesting facts

- Contains 20% Viognier co-fermented with red grapes, imparting a rare aromatic floral lift.
- Features ancient Sérine vines planted in 1896 on steep terraced slopes reaching a 40% gradient.
- Crafted with zero added sulfur dioxide using Jules Chauvet's cold carbonic maceration method.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant high acidity, rich fine-grained tannins, and dark berry notes make it an exceptional match for savory roasted meats and game. The aromatic lift from co-fermented Viognier complements earthy mushroom and truffle preparations while slicing through rich fat.

## Wine making process

Following the natural winemaking philosophy of Jules Chauvet, the hand-harvested grapes undergo 24 hours of pre-fermentative cold storage followed by a 20-day cold carbonic maceration of 100% whole bunches. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with ambient yeasts in neutral tanks without pumping over. The wine is aged for 24 months in neutral Tronçais oak barrels without added sulfur dioxide, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered.