Our tasting impressions
We are big fans of Pichon's regular Saint Joseph. So, imagine our delight to discover this premier offering of a single-vineyard version. Take all that charming and delicious fruit of the regular and give it considerably more depth. There is a degree of sophistication and refinement that we've experienced from only a select few wines from this appellation. Corentin presented this to us to taste after Côte Rôtie Rozier and before Hermitage. That should give you a pretty good idea of how outstanding and significant this new addition is.
About this wine
Palisse is a brand new cuvée named for its special single vineyard of Syrah in Verlieu (close to Pichon in Chavanay). It is half way up the steep (50%) slope facing east. The elevation ranges from 205 to 261 meters. The plot was planted in 2000 in granite soil that is remarkably shallow.
The grapes are handpicked with a yield of 40 hl/ha. The stems are left on 70% for pneumatic pressing. Fermentation is over 25 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with pumping over and punching down twice a day.
The wine is moved to barriques (225 liters) - 20% in new oak, , 30% one-year, 30% 2-years, and 20% 3-years old, where it develops for 24 months. 2,700 bottles were released 6 months later in January 2024.
About the Grape
Syrah is the sixth most planted grape worldwide. It thrives on steep slopes because of the dry climate and soil that enable deep root penetration. The grapes are small and dark-skinned high in acid and tannins.
About the Vintage
Overall this is an excellent vintage. Extreme weather has become commonplace and 2022 in the Northern Rhône was no exception. Searing temperatures and a dearth of rain could have spelled trouble for the vignerons, but some June rain and August humidity were beneficial. The harvest was, on average, about 20 days earlier than 2021.
The Pichon family is a growing force in the Northern Rhône region. Corentin, the eldest of the six children of Isabelle and Christophe, is a young, talented, 3rd generation winemaker. But this is every bit the family business as all of his 5 siblings are involved, along with Corentin's partner and mom and dad.
Based in Chavanay, the Pichons produce wines of elegance and finesse in a variety of appellations spanning more than 20 hectares. Chemical treatment of the mostly Syrah and Viognier vineyards is kept to a bare minimum. In addition to those from their own vines, they also purchase grapes for other wines.
VDLT has been visiting the Pichons for many years and is proud to include them as a foundation of the portfolio.
