Presentation
A renowned figure in the northern Rhône, Christophe Pichon has earned a reputation for his dedication to terroir and detail. On the steep slopes of appellations like Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, and Saint-Joseph, he cultivates Syrah and Viognier with passion and precision. The estate follows sustainable viticultural practices and hand-harvests its grapes to maintain optimal quality. In the cellar, vinification is exacting, with barrel aging that enhances the natural complexity of the wines. His Condrieu is rich and aromatic with a silky texture, while his reds combine power and finesse, revealing black fruit, violet, and spice. A reference in the Rhône Valley.
Location
Surface area: Approximately 0.5 hectares.
Terroir
Micaschiste à Fillon de Granite. Sol peu profond et très caillouteux.
In the vineyard
Vines are trained on stakes to improve aeration. Vineyard maintenance is entirely manual.
Density: 9,000 vines/ha
Yield: 35 hl/ha
Harvest
Grapes are harvested manually at optimal ripeness.
Winemaking
Pneumatic pressing of whole clusters. Cold settling. Fermentation in barrels without added yeast. Natural start of malolactic fermentation. Natural tartaric stabilization through cold. Wine is unfined and filtered using tangential filtration.
Ageing
Aged for 9 months in barrels (1 to 2 wines old).
Varietal
Viognier : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 20 years old
Serving
Serving temperature: 13 to 15°C
Ageing potential
3 to 5 years
Tasting
Diapason Blanc reveals a pale yellow robe with golden highlights. The nose is intense and elegant, led by aromas of ripe apricot, white peach, and acacia flowers, enriched with subtle woody notes and a hint of almond on the finish. On the palate, the wine impresses with its freshness and roundness, supported by a lovely tension that balances its aromatic richness. Aged for 11 months in barrels previously used for one to two wines, this Viognier shows remarkable finesse, evoking the airy style of fine Condrieu while asserting the unique identity of the Seyssuel terroir.
Visual appearance
Pale yellow with golden reflections.
At nose
Ripe apricot, white peach, acacia flowers, subtle wood, almond.
On the palate
Fresh and round, with balanced tension and aromatic depth.
Food pairings
This refined Viognier pairs beautifully with delicate and flavorful cuisine. It’s ideal as an aperitif with seafood bites—shrimp fritters, salmon toasts, or grey shrimp—or with white fish in a light sauce. For a more original pairing, try it with mustard-glazed andouillettes topped with caramelized onions, or poultry with mild spices. For cheese, opt for fresh goat cheese or soft bloomy-rind varieties to highlight its silky texture and floral aromas.