Producer | Jean-Baptiste Souillard |
Country | France |
Region | Rhone Valley |
Subregion | Crozes-Hermitage |
Varietal | Syrah |
Vintage | 2021 |
Sku | 38552 |
Size | 750ml |
Jean-Baptiste Souillard is a winemaker from the Northern Rhone region in France, known for his meticulous approach to viticulture and vinification. His Roussanne vineyard, located in the southern part of the Ardèche, is planted on a steep east-facing slope with granite and sandstone soils at an elevation of 380-450 meters. Souillard practices "lutte raisonnée," a sustainable approach to viticulture that minimizes chemical use.
The tiny 0.10 hectare (0.25 acre) Les Baties vineyard is planted to old vine Syrah, with some vines dating back before the 1970s. Situated on a moderately steep, southeast-facing slope, the vines benefit from cooling northern breezes that lend a distinct freshness to the wines. The soils here are incredibly complex - light-textured and calcareous loess over granite bedrock mixed with alluvium. Traditional winemaking practices of whole cluster pressing, native yeast fermentation, and aging in older oak barrels unfined and unfiltered allow this unique terroir to shine through. The resulting wines display an elegant yet concentrated style typical of low-vigor old vines, with vivid Northern Rhône Syrah character and nuanced mineral complexity derived from the multifaceted soils. Les Baties is a special site that produces a singular expression of its one-of-a-kind terroir.