Paul Jaboulet-Aîné : Domaine des Pierrelles 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Domaine des Pierrelles 2023 by Paul Jaboulet-Aîné

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a deep red hue with vibrant highlights.

Nose
The nose opens with an expressive bouquet of black fruits and dark cherry, enhanced by hints of orange peel and crushed violet. Subtle mineral touches reminiscent of graphite dust and notes of warm spices round out this rich aromatic palette.

Palate
Full-bodied and structured, the palate captivates with its elegance and silky tannins of great finesse. It unfolds savoury notes of raspberry, cherry and violet, supported by a persistent mineral thread that extends into a beautifully long finish.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs wonderfully with roasted or slow-cooked lamb with herbs, as well as with classic meats such as veal, pork, beef or game. It also complements Asian dishes rich in umami, grilled vegetables with bold flavours, pasta with meat sauce, or aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère.

Serving and cellaring

For an optimal tasting experience of Domaine des Pierrelles 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C, after storing it in the dark between 12 and 15°C. This wine can be enjoyed in its youth for its elegance, but it also has the ageing potential to rest in the cellar until around 2038.

The Elegance and Minerality of a Côte-Rôtie Wine

The estate

Founded in 1834 by Antoine Jaboulet in Tain l'Hermitage, the Paul Jaboulet-Aîné estate is an iconic institution of the Rhône Valley. Acquired in 2006 by the Frey family, the property underwent a profound transformation under the leadership of Caroline Frey, who guided the vineyard towards full biodynamic certification in 2021. Since July 2025, her sister Delphine Frey Prost has taken over the estate, carrying on this historic legacy that combines respect for terroir, environmental innovation and a commitment to excellence.

The vineyard

Established in 2006, the Domaine des Pierrelles plot covers approximately 1.5 hectares in the heart of the Côte Blonde sector, within the prestigious Côte-Rôtie appellation. The vines, aged between thirty and fifty years, thrive on steep south-facing slopes of fifty-six degrees, composed of decomposing mica schist and outcropping bedrock. Cultivated biodynamically, this terroir benefits from very low yields to favour concentration in the berries.

The vintage

The year began with a cool, wet spring, followed by moderate months of June and July. August was marked by an intense and prolonged heatwave. In early September, welcome rains revived the vines' vegetative cycle. A swift harvest was decided ahead of a mid-September storm, which largely spared the area with very low rainfall, providing ideal late-ripening conditions.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Domaine des Pierrelles 2023 are hand-harvested in small crates, then carefully sorted by parcel, on both optical and manual sorting tables. After destemming, fermentation is carried out in the traditional manner. Aging takes place over a period of twelve to eighteen months in French oak barrels, of which 20% are new, complemented by time in demi-muids, truncated conical vats or concrete eggs.

Grape variety

100% Syrah.