Who makes it
House made yeasts and whole bunch fermentation sit at the centre of Maison Christophe Pichon's cellar work. House made yeasts are prepared by the domaine itself. Whole bunch fermentation leaves stems with the grapes during fermentation, which can add perfume, spice and tannin to the wine.
Christophe Pichon began producing wine in 1993. The domaine's wines carry Rhône appellation names, with cellar choices that include both stainless steel and barrel élevage.
Where it grows
Condrieu and Côte Rôtie are the Rhône appellation names attached to two wines in the range. An appellation names a regulated geographic origin, so these terms place the bottles in a specific Rhône category on the label. Allégorie is another named wine in the house's range.
What they make
The named range includes Condrieu Roche Coulante, Côte Rôtie La Comtesse and Allégorie. Roche Coulante is aged eleven months, with 33% in stainless steel and 67% in barrels. Stainless steel gives a neutral vessel for élevage, while barrel ageing brings oxygen exposure and can build texture and spice.
La Comtesse is aged eighteen months entirely in new barrels. New oak brings a stronger wood influence than stainless steel, with toast, spice and a fuller impression of barrel ageing. Allégorie completes the named range listed here.