Domaine Partagé - Gilles Berlioz : Les Christine 2021

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Les Christine 2021 cuvée from Domaine Partagé - Gilles Berlioz

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bright, clear lemon-yellow hue, typical of white wines produced in cool climates.

Nose

Powerful and evolving, the nose reveals subtle aromas of dried fruits and toasted almonds. With aeration, the bouquet opens up to notes of white iris, fresh herbs and white peach, alongside buttery, brioche-like and spicy nuances. Mineral hints of flint, apricot and citrus round out this complex aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine impresses with its superb phenolic substance, lending structure and texture. The balance between an opulent body and dry extract brings tension and precision. The finish stands out for its remarkable, perfectly integrated saline and mineral persistence, offering complexity and length.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine is an ideal match for trout tartare with green mango, pink peppercorn and timut pepper. It also pairs beautifully with fish in creamy or buttery sauces, as well as with aged Savoie cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

The Les Christine 2021 cuvée is best served at around 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through at least 2033, with a peak between 2023 and 2031.

An exceptionally pure, mineral-driven white wine from Savoie by Domaine Partagé

The estate

Founded in 1990 by Gilles and Christine Berlioz in Chignin, Domaine Partagé - Gilles Berlioz now covers 6 hectares of vineyards in Savoie. Renamed Domaine Partagé in 2016, the estate embodies a philosophy of collaborative work and respect for people. Gilles and Christine Berlioz have farmed their vineyard under Demeter-certified biodynamics since 2018, with a total commitment to manual work and animal traction. The estate is renowned for wines of remarkable purity that have helped renew the perception of Savoie wines.

The vineyard

The Les Christine cuvée comes from roughly 20-year-old roussanne (bergeron) vines planted on the Châteaux and Chez Odette plots. These vines benefit from a full south-facing exposure and grow on clay-limestone soils, the preferred terroir of the Chignin-Bergeron appellation. Located between 300 and 400 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Massif des Bauges, the parcels are worked entirely by hand and with horses. Biodynamic farming favors natural preparations and respect for lunar cycles, with no chemical inputs whatsoever.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage was particularly challenging in France and in Savoie. Winter was marked by an episode of frost of rare intensity. A milder spring allowed flowering at the end of May, followed by very rainy months of June and July. Weather instability continued from mid-July to mid-August. Despite these demanding conditions, the winegrowers succeeded in producing quality wines that reflect their expertise.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Les Christine 2021 cuvée are rigorously selected from the most concentrated clusters at optimal ripeness. After hand-harvesting into small crates, whole bunches are gently pressed for 4 to 5 hours in a pneumatic press. Fermentation takes place at low temperature with indigenous yeasts, without any additives. Aging is carried out for 9 months in a horizontal fiberglass egg, on fine lees, allowing natural, continuous stirring. No wood is used in order to preserve the pure expression of the fruit and terroir. The wine is lightly filtered before bottling.

Grape variety

Roussanne (100%)