VISIT TO DOMAINE CHRISTOPHE PICHON - Domaine Christophe Pichon, Verlieu (8/6/2016)
Arranged by Voix de La Terre Wine Buying Consortium of which I am a charter member. Hosted by Corentin Pichon, 23 year old son of Christophe. Toured tasting room, wine making facilities and cellar. 2015 vintage has big, stellar fruit. The Reds are noticeably superior to 2014 (despite more normal preference for leaner, subtler fruit) because they have sufficient acidity and great balance. Tasted 3 new wines - Cornas and two IGP’s from Seyssuel across the River.
Tasted from bottle
Very generous of Corentin to open a bottle of the 2014 Côte Rotie Rôtie Blond for us after tasting the 2015 from barrel.
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2015 Christophe Pichon Viognier IGP - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône
Nice easy drink with clean apricot flavor. Good. -
2015 Christophe Pichon Condrieu - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
Better balance and bigger than the IGP. More opulent than the 14. Very nice. -
2014 Christophe Pichon Condrieu Caresse - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
Less fruit but more precision than the 15. Today, I prefer this. -
2015 Maison Christophe Pichon Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes IGP - Diapason - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
1st vintage of this IGP from Seyssuel. Bright fruit and easy to drink. Tastes like its from stainless steel tanks not the old and new oak it sees. -
2014 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Promesse - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Demure fruit. Not much lift. Meh. Mix of Roziers & Le Plomb. -
2014 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Côte Rozier - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Better and more balanced than the bottle in NYC in June. But not quite distinguished enough. -
2015 Maison Christophe Pichon Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes IGP - Mosaique - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes
Peppery, bright fruit. Tannic. Bottled one month ago. -
2014 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie La Comtesse en Côte Blonde - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
Missed recording a note on this but recall it being sleeker and more subtle than the 15. Still impressive and more contemplative whereas 15 leans toward hedonism.
Tasted from Tank
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2015 Christophe Pichon Condrieu Caresse - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Condrieu
just moved to tank and seems awkward as a result. Seems bigger and lusher than the 14. It will be bottled in 2 weeks. -
2015 Christophe Pichon St. Joseph Blanc - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
from tank. 100% Marsanne. Rich, sweet fruit. Nice balance. Avoids the muskiness I dislike in many from this variety. -
2015 Domaine Christophe Pichon St. Joseph - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
From tank bottled to be bottled in 2 weeks. Great fruit and not overly tannic. Very nice and approachable but can age.
Tasted from Barrel.
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2015 Domaine Christophe Pichon Cornas - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
1st vintage (2k bottles) from barrel - opulent, sweet fruit and really lush. This should be excellent. -
2015 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Promesse - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
From barrel - much richer and sweeter fruit than the 14. A real crowd pleaser. -
2015 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie Côte Rozier - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
from barrel - all new oak. Much more olive than Promess. Really fine. Needs time. -
2015 Christophe Pichon Côte-Rôtie La Comtesse en Côte Blonde - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie
from barrel - 2300 bottles and none exported. More of everything and truly elegant. Long, rich & velvety. Needs time but this is grand vin. Pichon owns 0.5 of 12 hectares in Côte Blond.
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