Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 2023 by Paul Jaboulet-Aîné

Tasting

Appearance

Of a beautiful intensity, the ruby colour reveals itself with brilliance.

Nose

Typical of its appellation, the nose exudes aromas of red and black cherry, intertwined with subtle notes of cedar, earth and a minerality reminiscent of pencil lead.

Palate

The palate proves round, refined and medium-bodied. Carried by silky tannins, it delivers a vibrant fruit-driven structure of great freshness, extending into a long, flavourful and mineral finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled lamb chops, braised or roasted beef served with mushrooms, as well as game such as wild boar or venison. It will also enhance aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this wine between 16 and 18°C. Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 2023 has excellent cellaring potential and can be kept in the cellar until around 2033.

The mineral elegance and freshness of a Saint-Joseph wine

The estate

Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet in Tain l'Hermitage, the Paul Jaboulet-Aîné House is a true institution of the northern Rhône Valley. After remaining in family hands for over a century and a half, the estate was acquired in 2006 by the Frey family. Under the impetus of Jean-Jacques Frey, the current owner, and his daughters Caroline and later Delphine, the property has experienced a genuine renaissance. With a vineyard of approximately 120 hectares, this emblematic name stands out today for its deep commitment to biodynamic viticulture and the preservation of its historic terroirs.

The vineyard

Domaine de la Croix des Vignes covers a small plot of around 1.5 hectares located in the heart of the Saint-Joseph appellation. Planted in 1998, the vines grow on steep terraced slopes with an incline reaching 45%. Facing south-west, this terroir benefits from ideal sunshine while retaining freshness. The soils are exclusively composed of pure decomposed granite, known as gore, giving the wine a unique mineral identity. The vineyard is entirely cultivated according to the principles of biodynamics, with deliberately limited yields to ensure optimal quality.

The vintage

The 2023 year was marked by contrasting weather conditions, combining episodes of drought, heat waves and fungal pressure. Despite these challenges and abundant vegetative growth, the end of the season proved highly favourable. Warm days combined with cool nights allowed ideal phenolic maturity to be reached while preserving a fine aromatic freshness, giving rise to perfectly balanced grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes intended for Domaine de la Croix des Vignes 2023 are harvested by hand into small crates before undergoing a double sorting, both manual and optical. The harvest is entirely destemmed and then macerated for three weeks, with daily pump-overs. Ageing then extends over a period of 12 to 18 months. It is carried out in a combination of French oak barrels (including 15 to 20% new wood), demi-muids, truncated conical vats and concrete eggs, thus enhancing the wine's complexity.

Grape variety

100% Syrah