Christophe Pichon Côte Rôtie Rozier 2019

2019
Syrah
Christophe Pichon

More Wines from Christophe Pichon

Our tasting impressions

Rozier 2019 is a long-term play. That shouldn't be a great surprise to anyone who know serious Côte Rôtie - particularly in such a classical vintage. But often, the Pichon style allows pleasurable early toe-dipping. Even the Comtesse can offer some youthful pyrotechnics. Rozier, right now, is all about structure. It's closed and tannic. Yet, it transmits a profoundly regal quality that leaves me no doubt this is destined for greatness. It's not nearly as obvious as with the 2108. But ultimately, this will be a superior vintage. Rozier is a remarkable value given its extraordinary terroir-true character.

 

About this wine

90% Syrah and 10% Viognier from vines in a half hectare plotof .75ha in the single vineyard of Rozier, planted in 1966. Schist soil is on steep southwest facing slopes. so severe, only a horse can plow it. The handpicked grapes with yields of 40 hl/ha are de-stemmed and pneumatically pressed. 

 

Fermentation is over 28 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with pumping over and punching down twice a day. Aging is for 14 months in mostly new oak barrels.

 

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

2019 was yet another hot and dry growing season, albeit not excessively so. Rain in late August and early September was just what the winemaker ordered. Most of the region experienced good quantities of very healthy and ripe grapes. Corentin considers it a great vintage for whites and reds alike. He says the wines are more structured than 2018 and better for cellaring.

 

 Suggested Glassware: Grassl 1855

Christophe Pichon

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.