Marie-Therese Chappaz Grain Pinot Noir Charrat 2023 (750ML)

Spring 2023 tested Marie-Thérèse Chappaz: early budbreak and heavy rain brought mildew pressure before a fine May dried the vines out. The flowering of 2022 had set a generous crop, and a scorching August brought drought stress, so picking started early and moved fast as acidity fell. This Pinot Noir comes from the lower slopes on the left bank of the Rhône at Charrat, harvested a week to ten days after the domaine’s Les Esserts. It was raised in Burgundian barrels and bottled in early December under natural cork. Sour cherry, red berries and flowers mingle with spice and a flinty edge on the nose. The palate is silky and juicy, medium-bodied yet dense and savory, its fine tannins woven through a saline acidity, and it lingers. Pan-fried trout, veal with chanterelles or a raclette night bring out its alpine side.