Côte Rôtie Champin Le Seigneur 2024 Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin

The Côte Rôtie Champin Le Seigneur 2024 from Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin is the house's great classic, the estate's first cuvée, a Côte Brune containing a little Viognier, which gives it elegance, silky texture and complexity. A complex and aromatic Côte Rôtie, offering excellent ageing potential yet real approachability in its youth, the consensus cuvée of the appellation, pleasing both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts.

Terroir and vineyards

Champin Le Seigneur is a blend of eleven parcels in the northern part of the Côte Rôtie appellation, facing south east, on soils of mica schist and loess, with vines averaging some thirty years of age. The varietal mix is roughly 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. The vineyards are farmed organically and certified as such, with harvesting carried out by hand on extremely steep slopes. The grapes are fully destemmed and macerate for three weeks in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in barrel. Ageing lasts twenty to twenty two months in cask, with less new oak than in the past, around 30% new, the remainder in once- and twice used barrels, for a wine of metronome like consistency and pleasure.

Tasting profile

The colour is a deep purple with violet highlights. The nose is complex and powerful, combining juicy red and black fruits, blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry, with smoky minerality, violet, olive, liquorice, pepper, garrigue and touches of oak. On the palate the wine is intense, delicate yet powerful, with a lively, fresh attack, firm yet silky tannins, deliciously juicy, and a voluptuous mouthfeel. The finish is long and concentrated.

The estate

The Gerin family has been established in Ampuis, in the heart of the Côte Rôtie, for six generations. Jean-Michel Gerin founded his estate in 1983, with a first release in 1987, and his sons Michaël and Alexis now carry the work forward. The estate, of around twelve hectares, spans the Côte Rôtie, Condrieu and Saint Joseph appellations, with very classic, long lived cuvées that rank among the finest expressions of Syrah in the northern Rhône valley.

Food and wine pairing

This Côte Rôtie will pair well with duck breast, duck with vine peaches, hare à la royale, roast leg of lamb, a dry aged, spiced rib of beef, sautéed ceps or a mature cheese. Served at around 16 °C, after aeration, it can be enjoyed now or cellared until 2037 and beyond.