The wines > Côte-Rôtie

  • ANDRE FRANÇOIS

    LVT 2010 r André worked in industry until 1992, then took over the family farm. Now only wine production done here.

  • BERNARD BURGAUD

    LVT 2010 r A northern sector domaine, with vineyards at some altitude. The wines have usually needed time to soften, being backward and upright early on. The 2006 and 2007 are softer, however, the 2010 classy. Generally, they repay ageing in bottle, and drinking in autumn to spring times of year, especially in the firmer vintages. The quality is very consistent.

  • BERNARD CHAMBEYRON

    Orderly domaine that grew tobacco between 1972 and 1982, and a lot of apricots until 1998 Wine continued in quiet production, has a local vigneron pedigree, all bottled since 1999 Sound quality across the range, though the reds could be a little fresher

  • BERNARD DAVID

    refined, gently fruited wines, pretty authentic wine used to be drunk at home, vineyard expanded from late 1980s mainly southern sector a man with an eye for detail

  • CEDRIC PARPETTE

    Small domaine that has always sold crop to Guigal, with a limited home production.

  • CHRISTOPHE and MARYLINE BILLON

    LVT 2009 The La Brocarde, from the Brune sector, is a promising wine, and is very site-specific in nature. The classic, Les Élotins, has been improving lately, and there are very sound vins de pays now on offer. Until the end of 2007, Christophe Billon doubled up with work in the Guigal vineyard. He is gradually expanding his own vineyards. A name to be aware of for the future.

  • CHRISTOPHE SEMASKA, CHÂTEAU DE MONTLYS

    LVT 2007 r wh This domaine is making gradual progress, with Christophe Semaska gaining confidence in his own abilities, and less reliant on heavy vinification techniques. Its location at the most northern end of the appellation means its wines can contain noted tannins, and rely on good ripening years to flesh themselves out. The Fleur de Montlys delivers a little more body than the classic. A little Condrieu has been made since 2006 after there was a small vineyard swap with François Merlin. The young vine crop and wine is sold to local merchants, except in hail-hit years such as 2007.

  • DIDIER GÉRIN

    LVT 2009 r Dedicated, grass roots operator. Planting in Condrieu as well. Southern zone base.

  • DOMAINE BENJAMIN et DAVID DUCLAUX

    LVT 2010 r The two sons have split the wine into two cuvees, successfully. Now one of the leading names, thier vineyards centred in the southern sector.

  • DOMAINE BERNARD

    LVT 2010 r wh An improving domaine in the southern zone, the two brothers lending momentum. Since 2006 there have been two new wines, derived from the old Vieilles Vignes wine that was elegant and structured, not a big hitter; living well over 12-15 years. One is pure southern zone, Bassenon, where the wines are soft and scented, the other is northern zone schist, the Côte Rozier, with more snap and mystery about it.

  • DOMAINE BERNARD LEVET

    LVT 2006 r An STGT domaine. The outlook is traditional, with great care taken by the unassuming Levets. The winemaking is geared towards old-style depth, and earthy flavours. Perhaps some cap punching would freshen the fruit. The arrival of daughter Agnès represents a good extra impetus for the future.

  • DOMAINE CLUSEL-ROCH

    LVT 2010 r 2008 wh A prime STGT domaine, it has been officially organic since 2002, but practices go back further. The vineyards are mostly in the northern sector, and the vineyards are worked with tremendous care; they include the use of home cuttings or selection massale Syrah. The wines are usually refined and understated, and are very pure. They benefit from ageing, and carry a Burgundian finesse mixed with northern Rhône depth and sinew. The domaine expanded in 1989 after the retirement of Rene Clusel and the arrival of Brigitte Roch. Les Grandes Places is a formidable wine of challenging complexity and well worth the outlay. La Viallière, revived in 2009, is also a winner.

  • DOMAINE CORPS DE LOUP

    LVT 2009 r There is a laissez-faire approach in the vineyard and in the cellar, with only a light touch applied. There is a southern zone predominance, so elegance rather than power is the watchword. The wines can lack deep-seated stuffing; the best is Paradis. The Domaine was bought in 1992 - the Daubrées had no wine background before then, and were residents of Lyon.

  • DOMAINE DANIEL, ROLAND and GISÈLE VERNAY

    LVT 2007 r A domaine at the northern extremity of the appellation, with the schist presence giving the wines a steady tannic presence. They are slow-burn, upright in style, and need a little time to loosen, and round out the later stages of the palate. The Vernays have old vineyards, and potential exists to bring in more stylish wines. Their fruit interests are decreasing under the impulse of Mâcon Wine School-educated daughter Gisèle. They are aiming to bottle more and sell less in bulk. The Vernays are not related to Georges Vernay of Condrieu fame.

  • DOMAINE DE BONSERINE

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh Owned by Guigal since 2006. The wines are receiving the usual Guigal polish. The house style is for elegance, with an almost Burgundian feel. There is a northern sector emphasis - namely schist - in the vineyards. The Condrieu, Saint-Joseph red, Crozes-Hermitage red, Côtes du Rhône red and white are supplied from their négociant business, Tradivin. Quality is sold here, and more regular now that Guigal is le proprietaire. The vinifier is Stéphane Carrel.

  • DOMAINE DE ROSIERS

    LVT 2007 Unpretentious, middle-plus rank Côte-Rôtie, traditional winemaking, submerged cap rather than punching down during fermentation. Gradual updating of casks here a good sign. Sells almost half crop to merchants. The domaine is best in the good years, but I detect gradually improving wines here of real authenticity.

  • DOMAINE GALLET

    LVT 2009 r Traditional, low profile domaine. Son Philippe was lending some impetus, but suffered a very bad accident, severing tendons and nerves in his right hand, in 2008. His sister Valérie was working as an accountant in Condrieu, and returned to the domaine. The prevailing influence is the southern sector, meaning finesse, and gentle flavours.

  • DOMAINE GARON

    LVT 2010 r Another domaine starting to relinquish whole bunch, traditional winemaking, but the outlook is largely steady. The Garons and their two sons work plot by plot, with a submerged cap system. The wines are mainly traditional, and quite hearty, and have started to show a little more polish since 2005. The top wine is Les Rochins, from an excellent site in the northern zone, Les Rochains.

  • DOMAINE GASSE LAFOY

    Domaine vineyards now mostly rented out to Stéphane Otheguy, who worked with him before Commitment to organic and natural methods in vineyard and cellar Top wines held good fruit clarity

  • DOMAINE JAMET

    LVT 2010 r 2009 wh Wow, zap. Hot streak here! A core Côte-Rôtie domaine, family-run, with a good, whole-hearted style of wine. The unpretentious classic rises to heights in the top years like 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2007. The Côte Brune is one of the best Côte-Rôties, a suitable legacy for the hard work of Joseph Jamet. There is also a really good Syrah vin de pays as well and a red Côtes du Rhône that can be way above its station in years like 2005.

  • DOMAINE JASMIN

    LVT 2009 r A domaine whose wines hold great refinement and a clear fruit - I have always considered their style to be Burgundian. The wines appear to be regaining some depth and complexity with the 2007 vintage – a very welcome event. Patrick has said he is allowing the malos to take their time (ie not heating the cellar) and there is greater body now, also helped by a slightly longer vinification time at a restrained maximum temperature. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, these wines have not been made to live for a very long time - Patrick is keen to drink them inside 10 years. Top years can live towards 18 years or so. There is always a cracking vin de pays Syrah when it is issued.

  • DOMAINE LOUIS CLERC

    LVT 2009 r 2009 wh Sadly the founder of the domaine in 1990, Louis Clerc, died in April, 2007. This is a traditional domaine, and now his son Martin, born in 1991, is becoming actively involved, helped by his mother. The crop was sold to merchants until 2003. There are some STGT characteristics: these are warmly textured, southern sector wines that can be a little light.

  • DOMAINE PATRICK and CHRISTOPHE BONNEFOND

    LVT 2009 r wh There has been steady progress at this domaine, which has a modernistic leaning. At last the boys have woken up to their overuse of new oak, and have cut that back, and increased their cask size. Les Rochains is becoming a wine of genuine stature. The classic wine and Côte Rozier show more direct fruit, and are get up and go wines. Cellaring of 5 years helps the oak to infuse, and brings out increased complexity in the wines.

  • DOMAINE RICHARD DESBORDES

    LVT 2005 r wh Richard Desbordes is a returnee who left his job with Citroën in 2002 to come back and work the family vineyard. The family used to cultivate cereals and make cheese and milk, but the demands on laboratory conditions for the cheese drove his father away from working the land. He makes very good wines, albeit in limited quantities. Only wild yeasts are used, and care is taken in the cellar. The 2005 Côte-Rôtie showed good STGT signs.

  • DOMAINE STÉPHANE PICHAT

    LVT 2009 r wh This is a name to watch. Stéphane is in his late twenties, a relative newcomer, who made his first wine in 2000. His grandfather, but not his father, worked the family farm, his father selling the crop to merchants. In 2007, 60-70% of his production is to be bottled. He has started to export, as well. He has some striking, fun labels. Stéphane`s wife`s family make a solid quality Côtes de Castillon (70% Merlot) from the 9 hectare Château Fillol – the 2003 was **(*), the attractive 2006 **. There is a pleasing clarity in his wines, with some STGT leanings, and they reflect their northern sector schist well. He has cut back on the use of new oak for his main wine, Le Champon, a good move.

  • E.GUIGAL

    LVT 2010 wh 2009 r 2010 rosé A world famous winery. Marcel Guigal has always followed a new oak, long ageing route for the red wines. The Guigal reds are always sumptuous and full, and live well. Very rich style of Condrieu. Upping the quality at Hermitage, helped by the purchase of vineyards. Very reliable quality in the large production wines like the southern Rhône Côtes du Rhône.

  • EMILE CHAMPET

    born 1925, a stalwart who first bottled in 1967 has reduced to a small vineyard to keep his eye in traditional, delightful and honest wines, sold to locals

  • FRANCOIS and XAVIER GERARD

    2007 r wh The regular Condrieu is sold in bulk to Jaboulet, so only the best – the Côte Châtillon – is bottled. These used to be local wines lacking a little depth, with father François working 2 days a week at the Crédit Agricole. Son Xavier, wine school trained and travelled, is raising quality.

  • GILLES BARGE

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh This domaine gives a prime example of traditional Côte-Rôtie. The wines are very consistent. Du Plessy is more aromatic, the Côte Brune has good muscle and breeding, and ages well. The new Le Combard Côte-Rôtie fits in between. The Condrieu and Saint-Joseph contain good fruit. Son Julien is interested in the whites, and they are set to improve as a result.

  • GILLES REMILLER

    Advised by Stéphane Ogier, the best wine chosen for bottling - is usually a lot from La Viallière. Modern cellar methods and techniques used.

  • J.VIDAL-FLEURY

    LVT 2009 r 2010 wh 2010 rosé La Chatillonne is one of the great Côte-Rôties, combining Rhône depth with a floral, floating elegance. The rest of the line-up, for many years been composed of worthy merchant wines, is getting a right old shake-up, and has been improving fast from the 2008 vintage onwards. Vidal-Fleury has been owned by Guigal for some time now, and from 2008, the Big Push has been for a series of more fruited, fresher wines raised in their state of the art premises at the southern end of the Côte-Rôtie vineyards. This will allow just one bottling run for some of the large volume wines such as the Crozes red and the Côtes du Rhône red. It will also allow more precise wood ageing – the duration in the old large barrels is gradually coming down – thankfully – and younger, smaller casks are being introduced. The Ventoux red is a good performer at a sound price level, and note the Vacqueyras red as well.

  • JEAN-MICHEL and MICHELLE FRANCOIS

    Long-established local family. Combine wine with dairy and cheese making.

  • JEAN-MICHEL GÉRIN

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh This is a modern techniques domaine, that has always leaned towards new oak use. The best wines absorb the oak over time and are stylish, gaining a sense of place as they go. The top wine, Les Grandes Places, made from 1940s and 1960s Syrah on the schist of the northern zone, is the ace card. There is a fruity, fun Condrieu and very decent vin de pays Syrah.

  • JEAN-MICHEL STÉPHAN

    LVT 2009 r 2008 wh Archetype of the grower who is outside the loop: Jean-Michel tries to be organic at every turn - vineyard and cellar. Hence very low sulphur use, and as a follower of Jules Chauvet from the Beaujolais, ferments some of his wines with carbonic maceration. When on the button, the wines carry excellent fruit; they benefit from decanting. These come from mainly southern sector sources, so there is an intrinsic elegance about them. He also grows organic apricots. He makes a good Condrieu which will cease after 2008 when the vineyard will no longer be borrowed.

  • JOEL and ROMAIN CHAMPET

    LVT 2009 r northern sector vineyard - full wines made in the traditional way, unchanged over the past decades whole bunches, 550-litre and a 22 hl barrel for ageing rest of crop sold to local merchant

  • LES VINS DE VIENNE

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh The early thrust from this négociant business was to accentuate wines with overt new oak presence. The oak factor has eased slightly recently - good. The style is for modern, extracted wines, that require laying down to allow some integration. The Seyssuel wines, Taburnum and Sotanum, are laden with soaked fruits and are interesting, if expensive.

  • M and S OGIER d`AMPUIS

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh Progressive domaine, in the hands of enthusiastic, switched-on son Stéphane. Plots vinified separately. Active cellar techniques, interventionist. Plenty of oak use - wines are marked by this early on, and can be oppressive.Stéphane cutting back on new oak from 2004, which is a positive development. Best wines, eg Belle Hélène, have richness to handle the oak. Now very expensive. Sound mini-négociant wines, notably Les Embruns, and a successful, accomplished vin de pays Syrah La Rosine.

  • RENE ROSTAING

    LVT 2010 r 2010 wh One of the top domaines at Côte-Rôtie. René Rostaing married the daughter of Albert Dervieux, long-time doyen of the vineyards. Clean, clear-fruited wines with some oak influence - emphasis on elegance. Enjoyable Condrieu, also clear-cut.

  • STÉPHANE OTHEGUY

    LVT 2007 r 2006 wh Stéphane Othéguy used to work at Domaine Gasse-Lafoy, with Vincent Gasse. Since 2004, when Vincent retired, he took over the rental of his vineyards. He is fully committed to organic methods, both in the vineyards and the cellar. There is also organic fruit juice, mainly apple, with apricot, pear and figs also from his own trees beside the Rhône. Low sulphur use means that the reds can be reductive or stinky on first opening. They are infused with clear, quite expressive red fruits. Decanting or double decanting of them is recommended.

  • THIERRY VILLARD

    Mainly southern sector origins. Modern cellar methods.

  • YVES LAFOY

    Unpretentious wines, no jazzy modernism. Cuvée RG gaining in stature, and shows sound local feel, towards STGT. Condrieu demi-sec is for drinking at Christmas time