Domaine Julien Pilon - Côte-Rôtie - La Porchette - Red - 2023

Wine:

A Selection Committee Favorite, rated 96/100, the 2023 Red Côte Rôtie La Porchette captures the very essence of great Syrah—ripe, juicy, and beautifully structured. The nose is pure, intense, and fresh, unfolding with layers of smoky bacon, black fruit, and wild blackberry. The palate is remarkably smooth, almost like a silky coulis, with polished tannins that promise excellent aging potential. Thoughtfully aged in oak, the balance is impeccable, enhancing depth without overpowering the wine’s vibrant character. A truly outstanding bottle—one that belongs in every serious collector’s cellar. This winemaker never ceases to impress!

Vinification:

Hand harvested, mainly from the Bassenon terroir in the commune of Tupin & Semons, at the southern tip of the appellation, and a small batch from the locality of Rozier, at the northern exit of Ampuis, on the plateau. 100% destemmed and uncrushed harvest, vinification in open stainless steel vats for approximately 3 weeks with short but frequent pumping over. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in 225-litre barrels, 30% of which are new.

Color:

Dark red of good intensity and brilliance, with shades of purple.

Nose:

Very pure, with a mature, concentrated and fresh profile, notes of grilled bacon, black fruits and wild blackberries.

Palate:

The palate is like a juicy and velvety coulis on the palate, bordered by present and slightly polished tannins that will accompany the aging. The whole is remarkable and deserves to be part of the cellar of any enthusiast.

Temperature:

Serve between 14 and 16°C in a large glass.

Food and wine pairing:

Veal with figs, duck fillet with mushrooms, venison, duck breast.

Cellar aging:

From today until 2039.

Julien Pilon has firmly established himself as a leading name in the Rhône Valley, earning one star in the French wine guide RVF and a dedicated following among serious wine lovers.

Having honed his craft alongside legends like Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, Pierre-Jean Villa, and Mas Amiel, he brings a precise, terroir-driven approach to winemaking, capturing every subtle nuance of the land.

His wines, sourced from some of the Northern Rhône Valley’s finest appellations, are prized for their freshness and purity—crystal-clear whites and equally refined reds. The only catch? With soaring demand and limited production, getting your hands on a bottle is no easy feat.