By Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin
Champin Le Seigneur Cote-Rotie

Background
Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin is a family-owned winery in the heart of Cote-Rotie, near the village of Ampuis in the Rhone Valley. Hailing from a family of grape growers, Jean Michel established his eponymous winery in 1983, the first in his family to make wine. While he sourced much of his fruit from family-owned vineyards dating back to his grandfather's time, he also purchased land along the way, buying his first vineyard in the famed 'Les Grandes Places' in 1988, followed by a second purchase in 'La Landonne.' Today, the estate covers a little more than 30 acres in the Cote-Rotie appellation and much smaller plots in Condrieu and the northern Rhone, which Jean-Michel farms alongside his two sons, Michael and Alexis.

Source
Champin Le Seigneur is affectionately named after the farmer from whom Jean-Michel purchased the vineyard plot. It is a blend of 11 parcels covering nine hectares: Lezardes, Cognet, Gerine, Bourrier, Fourvier, La Brosse, Cote Bodin, La Taquiere, Fongeant, Verenay, and Marsanne. Vines are an average of 30 years old.

Production
The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo alcoholic fermentation at a cool temperature. Malolactic fermentation is inhibited to preserve the wine's acidity and freshness. The Syrah and Viognier are co-planted and co-fermented, by law. Gerin uses native yeasts for all their wines. Aged 22 months in barrique (20% new oak).

Wine Details
Source: Cote-Rotie AOC, northern Rhone, France
Blend: 95% Syrah, 5% Viognier
Winemaker: Jean-Michel Gerin
[Information provided by Palm Bay International]
[Information is not vintage specific]

Wine: Jean-Michel Gerin Cote-Rotie Champin Le Seigneur 2020
Score/Rating: 94
Suggested Drinking Window: Best from 2025 through 2035.
Review Date: 02/28/2023
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Savory and complex, with warm fig, plum and black licorice layered with iron, earth and salty minerals and a humus note. Sleek and chiseled, with impressive depth through the finish. Syrah and Viognier. Best from 2025 through 2035.

Wine: Domaine Jean-Michel Gerin 2020 Cote-Rotie Champin Le Seigneur
Score/Rating: (93-95)
Review Date: 12/2022
Reviewed By: Josh Raynolds
Tasting Notes: Dark magenta. Spice-accented aromas of juicy red and blue fruits, smoky minerals, pungent flowers and olive, along with a hint of cracked pepper. Sweet, palate-coating cherry, black raspberry and cola flavors turn livelier with air and take on hints of allspice and mocha. Bright and quite energetic, with a long, spicy finish that features discreet tannins and lingering florality.