Presentation
The Domaine Chirat, located on the steep slopes of the northern Rhône Valley, is a family exploitation specializing in the Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie appellations. For several generations, the Chirat family has cultivated its vines on terraces, on granite soils that give the wines remarkable finesse and minerality. Cultivation is conducted in sustainable viticulture, with limited interventions and particular attention to biodiversity. The harvest is exclusively manual, allowing rigorous selection of clusters at perfect maturity. The Condrieu whites are a true expression of Viognier: rich, aromatic, and of great elegance, they develop enchanting notes of apricot, peach, and white flowers. The Côte-Rôtie reds, made from Syrah and sometimes co-fermented with a touch of Viognier, reveal complex aromas of black fruits, spices, and violet, supported by a beautiful tannic structure and a persistent finish. An essential domain for lovers of great Rhône wines.
Location
The name of this cuvée comes from the contraction of the lieu-dit Côte Rozier and the commonly used term for the northern part of the appellation, “La Brune”, where our parcel is located.
Terroir
Clay-limestone soils rich in iron oxide. Lieu-dit Côte-Rozier in Ampuis.
In the vineyard
Our estate is located in the Northern Rhône Valley, 50 km south of Lyon, more precisely in the commune of Saint-Michel-sur-Rhône. All our vines are planted on the right bank of the Rhône, facing South to South-East, on a geological formation largely composed of granite.
They extend across three departments: Rhône, Loire, and Ardèche. We practice sustainable viticulture based on observing each stage of the vine’s growth — “the right gesture at the right time.” All essential vineyard work is carried out to ensure grape quality: soil tilling, leaf thinning, crop thinning, controlled grass cover, green manure, organic treatments, foliar fertilization, etc.
Vines on the slopes (AOP wines) are planted at a density close to 9,000 vines per hectare, reducing vigor and producing small, concentrated, aromatic clusters. On the upper slopes (IGP wines), density is 5,500 vines per hectare, with controlled grass cover and soil work to regulate vigor and limit erosion.
Our vine material comes from massal selection of old vineyards, grafted in Savoie by the RIONDY nursery. Viognier is grafted onto Rupestris du Lot, an old, nearly forgotten rootstock particularly well adapted to climate change thanks to its suitability for poor soils and its ability to delay the vegetative cycle. Red varieties are grafted onto 3309 Couderc.
Harvest
Hand-picked.
Winemaking
Alcoholic fermentation is carried out entirely with indigenous yeasts, and 100% of the harvest is vinified with whole clusters. Maceration lasts 25 days with an immersed cap. Fermentation is completed with indigenous malolactic fermentation in barrels, developing complex aromas and a silky texture.
Ageing
22 months: 10 months in 228 L oak barrels (one-third new), followed by 12 months in large foudres.
Varietal
Syrah : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 40 years old
Serving
Serve at 18–21°C.
Ageing potential
10 to 15 years
Tasting
Deep garnet-red with purple reflections. The nose is highly expressive, with ripe red fruits, violet, sandalwood, and pepper. The palate reveals a silky tannic structure balanced by freshness, with menthol notes and subtle oak undertones. The finish is long and persistent, highlighting this wine’s remarkable ageing potential.
Food pairings
This wine elevates rich and robust dishes such as ribeye steak or bavette with shallots, venison fillet with sauce grand veneur, or stuffed turkey with chestnuts. It also pairs beautifully with characterful, long-aged cheeses whose powerful aromas and textures match the wine’s structure. Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content can also create an indulgent, complex pairing.
