The 2014 Stéphane Ogier Côtes du Rhône Le Temps Est Venu Rouge is a medium-bodied red wine that balances elegance and intensity. It showcases a deep ruby color with a fragrant nose of warm black plum, black cherry, blackberry, and wildflowers, accented by cracked pepper, olive brine, chopped herbs, and hints of chai tea. On the palate, it offers silky tannins, juicy cherry, and red licorice notes, with layers of peppery herbs, raspberries, dried flowers, and violets. Subtle mocha, garrigue, and grilled mesquite accents add complexity, creating a supple, forward, and approachable wine with refined structure.
Food Pairings
This versatile Côtes du Rhône pairs well with a range of dishes, including:
- Grilled meats: Lamb chops, steak, or sausages, where the wine’s peppery and herbal notes complement the charred flavors.
- Roasted vegetables: Particularly Mediterranean vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers, which echo the wine’s garrigue character.
- Herb-crusted poultry: Roast chicken or turkey with rosemary and thyme, enhancing the wine’s herbal undertones.
- Charcuterie and cheeses: Cured meats like salami or prosciutto, and medium-firm cheeses like aged gouda or comté, which balance the wine’s fruit and spice.
- Provençal dishes: Ratatouille or herb-stuffed mushrooms, aligning with the wine’s regional flavors.
Critics’ Review
Critics have praised the 2014 vintage for its approachability and quality:
- Wine Advocate (via winedeals.com): Described as “medium-bodied, supple, elegant and downright sexy,” with “impressive notes of peppery herbs, raspberries, dried flowers and violets.” It highlights the wine’s forward nature, suggesting it’s enjoyable in its youth.
- Marketview Liquor: Notes that it “brims with juicy cherry and red licorice notes, while mocha, garrigue and grilled mesquite accents linger,” emphasizing its characterful and well-made profile.
- CellarTracker (community review, March 15, 2018): A user noted, “Much better showing for this wine, seems to have settled and filled out from its youthful green and almost bitterness from many months ago,” indicating improvement with some bottle age.
No specific numerical scores (e.g., 90+ points) were found for the 2014 vintage, but Stéphane Ogier’s wines are generally well-regarded, often scoring in the 88–92 range for Côtes du Rhône-level bottlings.
Drink Window
The 2014 vintage is likely at or near its peak drinkability in 2025, given its medium-bodied, forward style and the typical aging potential of Côtes du Rhône reds. Based on its evolution noted in 2018 reviews, it should drink well now through 2026–2028 for optimal fruit and structure. Proper storage (cool, dark, stable conditions) could extend this slightly, but it’s not designed for long-term aging.
