Jean-Michel Gérin : La Champine Syrah 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of La Champine Syrah 2024 by Jean-Michel Gérin

Tasting

Colour
The glass reveals a beautiful, vivid red colour.

Nose
The bouquet opens with lovely freshness, releasing vibrant aromas of small red fruits such as black cherry and raspberry. Subtle spicy and peppery notes, typical of the grape variety, complement this aromatic palette without being overshadowed by woody notes.

Palate
On the palate, this medium-bodied wine stands out for its silky texture and its supple, refined tannins. It offers a superb balance between refreshing acidity and a concentration of fruity flavours, extending into a finish full of roundness and sweetness.

Food and wine pairing

This cuvée pairs wonderfully with beef braised with carrots, charcuterie platters or roast duck. It will also perfectly accompany aged hard cheeses, tomato lasagne or umami-rich vegetarian dishes such as roasted root vegetables or mushrooms with chorizo.

Serving and storage

Approachable even in its youth, La Champine Syrah 2024 can be enjoyed right now, but also has the structure needed to evolve favourably in the cellar until around 2034.

The authentic, fruit-driven expression of a Vin de France by Jean-Michel Gérin

The estate

Founded in 1983 in Ampuis, the Jean-Michel Gérin estate marks a historic turning point: after six generations of winegrowers, Jean-Michel Gérin is the first in the family to bottle and sell his own wine. Today, he runs this roughly nineteen-hectare estate together with his two sons, Michaël and Alexis. Together, they carry on a philosophy centred on the meticulous exploration of terroirs and respect for the environment. The estate stands out for its sustainable approach, crowned by organic farming certification obtained in 2023 for all of its vines.

The vineyard

Classified as Vin de France, the plots dedicated to this cuvée are located on plains and plateaus bordering the boundaries of the famous appellation of the commune of Ampuis, as well as in the north of the Ardèche. The vines flourish on terroirs made up of mica-schist and granite, at varying altitudes. The estate applies organic farming principles, with entirely manual harvesting and a high planting density to naturally limit vigour and enhance grape quality.

The vintage

The year 2024 stood out for its favourable growing season, spared from excessive heat stress. Mild weather conditions allowed for healthy fruit development and a steady ripening cycle, resulting in a calm harvest with no pressure for early picking.

Winemaking and aging

After a manual harvest in small twenty-five-kilogram crates to preserve the berries, the grapes are entirely de-stemmed. Fermentation begins with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, with a maceration period of about four weeks. Aging lasts one year and takes place mainly in stainless steel tanks to preserve the purity of the fruit, while the remainder rests in neutral oak barrels that have already been used for four to five vintages.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%)