Louis Chèze : Caroline 2023

The aromatic richness and structure of a Saint-Joseph from Louis Chèze

The estate

The history of Domaine Louis Chèze began in 1978 when Louis Chèze, the current owner, took over the family farm to devote himself to winemaking. Located in Limony, on the right bank of the river some sixty kilometres south of Lyon, the estate lies at the heart of the northern Rhône Valley. From a single hectare at its beginnings, the estate now spans 45 hectares. A pioneer in the revival of the ancient Roman terroir of Seyssuel since the 2000s, Louis Chèze crafts authentic cuvées with the utmost respect for the vine through sustainable farming practices.

The vineyard

The "Caroline" cuvée comes from the prestigious Saint-Joseph appellation. This roughly forty-year-old vineyard rises to 300 metres in altitude, overlooking the slopes of Brèze. South-facing, the vines benefit from optimal sun exposure and thrive on shallow soils composed of schist, quartz and mica-bearing granite. The estate practices sustainable viticulture, limiting yields through green harvesting and rigorous pruning to ensure optimal grape quality.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the 2023 Saint-Joseph "Caroline" are hand-harvested in small crates. After careful sorting in the vineyard and then on a vibrating sorting table at the winery, the berries are fully destemmed. Fermentation takes place in small, temperature-controlled tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation carried out in barrels. The wine is then aged for 14 months in oak barrels. Finally, it is bottled in a single operation, without any prior filtration.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%).

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Saint-Joseph "Caroline" 2023 by Louis Chèze

Tasting notes

Color
With its luminous garnet hue, the wine presents itself in a brilliant light.

Nose
The bouquet reveals subtle aromas of violet and pepper, beautifully rounded out by luscious notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and aniseed.

Palate
Full-bodied and remarkably structured, the palate offers a texture with well-integrated tannins and light toasted notes. Showing beautiful maturity, it lingers on the palate to deliver a persistent finish, enhanced by delicate notes of cedar and chocolate.

Service and storage

The balance, breadth on the palate and solid structure of this 2023 vintage give it a highly favorable profile for further cellar aging.