Lot presentation

Côte-Rôtie Bellissima Louis Cheze (Domaine) 2016

The wine

Bellissima is a collection of parcels located in the granitic hillsides of the Côte Brune and the Côte Blonde. The Syrah used in the production of this wine comes from sustainably-farmed vines aged between 30 and 45 years. The grapes are sorted in both the vineyard and the cellar. They are then totally destemmed, crushed, macerated and fermented in low-temperature thermoregulated vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrels. The wine is then matured for 14 months in barrels used two or three times before, depending on the year. The wine is bottled without filtration. Its garnet colour is limpid and deep. The bouquet is complex and composed of notes of red berries and sweet, subtly woody spices. The palate is delicate and opens out to reveal its tannins. This persistent wine is delicious with a chicken stuffed with chestnuts. This wine can be kept for between 5 and 8 years.

About the Producer Louis Cheze

Louis Chèze started his venture in 1978 with one hectare of vines in the Saint-Joseph appellation, on a hillside on the right bank of the Rhône in the commune of Limony. Since then, the domain has grown to 30 hectares, and owns vineyards in Saint-Joseph, Condrieu and more recently, on the other side of the Rhône on the hillsides of Seyssuel, opposite the Côte-Rôtie. Like François Villard, Yves Cuilleron and Pierre Galliard, Louis Chèze now cultivates vines on the remains of the ancient Roman vineyards there. The domain has a modern winery so the vinification process is as fine-tuned as it can be. Every cuvée is the outcome of a meticulous single parcel selection that allows the terroir and grapes to express themselves fully. As the wines are produced on a granite terrain they are very fresh, stylish and full of character. This Rhône Valley domain is growing in reputation.

Detailed characteristics