2020 Jean Luc Jamet Valine

Region: Rhone Valley, France

Grape: Syrah

Culinary Suggestions: Charcuterie, Roast Chicken, Smoked Meats, Steak

Vineyard Practice: Sustainable

About

Jean Luc's winemaking journey began in the 1970s, working alongside his father and brother in the family-owned Côte-Rôtie vineyard. After planting vines on some of the best parcels in Côte-Rôtie by 1985, he gained recognition as an acclaimed vigneron, known for producing some of the most beautiful Côte-Rôtie wines at Domaine Jamet. In 2012, after over 20 years of working with his brother Jean-Paul, Jean-Luc decided to pursue his own label and the family vineyards were divided between them. This created an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to experience a different, yet equally important, interpretation of Côte-Rôtie from one of the region's icons.

Jean-Luc's eponymous label spans over 8 hectares of land, 4.5 of which are within the Côte-Rôtie appellation, located on the famous hillsides of Lancement, La Landonne, Chavaroche, and Les Moutonnes. To maintain quality, he limits yields to under 40 hl/ha and cultivates the necessary stress in the vines. Each parcel is harvested by hand and blended throughout the vinification process, with a third of the grapes processed in whole bunches to add complexity. Jean-Luc ages his wines in French oak barrels of different formats for 20 to 24 months, resulting in medium-bodied expressions of Syrah that are thrillingly delicate and built upon freshness and detail. These wines can age for over 30 years, making them highly sought-after by wine connoisseurs worldwide.