Côtes du Rhône Haut Brissan 2023 Domaine Saladin

The Côtes du Rhône Haut Brissan 2023 from Domaine Saladin is one of the most endearing and precious cuvées from this family-run Ardèche estate whose history stretches back to 1422, a full six centuries of unbroken presence on these lands. The wines of Domaine Saladin are hymns to gourmandise and delicacy. They express with sensitivity the authenticity of this Ardèche terroir. A pure Grenache, single parcel vineyard at altitude, vinified with frankness and naturalness that make it one of the finest expressions of this variety in the southern Rhône valley.

The terroir of Haut Brissan

The Haut Brissan parcel is sheltered on either side by Clapas, those stones heaped by peasants over centuries to clear cultivable land, and by oak and chestnut trees. These high alluvial beds of the Rhône are made of rolled pebbles that capture heat by day and return it to the vines at night, forming a protective layer against the Mistral and frost. This parcel wine comes from the Haut Brissan lieu-dit, the highest plateau of Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche village. This elevated position is key: it gives the Grenache natural freshness and aromatic tension that temper the solar generosity of the grape, producing well-balanced wines of fine length. Among the first Ardèche vineyards to enter the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages appellation, they were pioneers in recognising this terroir. The vines are 50 years old, with a yield of just 30 hectolitres per hectare. Harvesting is entirely manual and carefully sorted. Maceration is semi-carbonic in whole bunches with wild yeast, followed by gentle pneumatic pressing. Only sulphur is added in minimal doses. Ageing takes place in concrete vats.

Tasting profile

The Haut Brissan is 100% Grenache from old vines grown organically on the rolled pebbles of Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche. Vinified in whole bunches with wild yeast, it reveals an expressive nose of dark fruits, spice and garrigue. Multiple aromatic notes of spice, humus and truffle complete this bouquet. On the palate, there is fruit, finesse, liquorice notes, considerable roundness, balance and length. The semi-carbonic maceration brings natural gourmandise and fruit freshness, while the minerality of rolled pebbles runs through the palate with salinity and freshness that extend the finish with elegance. These nectars blossom with delight in a texture that harmonises freshness and unctuousness. A wine built for the cellar, capable of serene ageing for 8 to 10 years.

The domaine

Domaine Saladin sits in Saint-Marcel-d'Ardèche, a southern Côtes du Rhône village, midway between Montélimar and Avignon on the right bank of the Rhône. Elisabeth, Marie-Laurence, Louis and Annick Saladin lead this family property passed down since 1422. The estate's 18 hectares and 13 Rhône varieties have always been hand-harvested, farmed and vinified organically. Micro-cuvée vinifications follow the grain of the skin, the stems, the pips, intuition. No inputs are used save sulphur, in minimal doses at tank and bottling. The twenty-first generation of vignerons on these lands, the Saladins embody the ideal of the complete family domaine, from vine to glass, with no concessions to ease.

Food pairings

This Côtes du Rhône Haut Brissan pairs beautifully with a fine côte de bœuf grilled over fire, lamb with thyme and rosemary, a rack of lamb with garrigue herbs, game birds such as partridge with cabbage or roasted quail, or aged cheese like a Pélardon from Ardèche or mature Comté. Its natural freshness and finesse allow it to be served lightly chambré at 15–16 °C. Decanting for 30 minutes to an hour is advised in the wine's youth.