The Domain
It is an estate of one hectare of vines spread over 5 plots on the heights of Saint-Joseph, in the hamlet of Verdelette. The hamlet dominates Saint-Jean-de-Muzols and overlooks the Rhone Valley, on the Ardèche side, facing the Hermitage hill.
Vineyard and Terroir
The vines grow among the cedars and the climate gives elegant wines full of freshness. The vines are worked in organic farming without certification. The very steep slope requires that they be worked by hand and the soil mainly by horse.
Viticulture and Winemaking Practices
The plots are vinified separately, i.e. 5 micro-cuvées, aged in oak barrels and then blended. The name of each micro-cuvée corresponds to the name of the person who planted the plot. Paul is accompanied throughout the winemaking process by a former master grower at Jean-Louis Chave.
2021 is Paul's first vintage. He produces a unique cuvée of Saint-Joseph red.
Winemaker
Meet Paul, the third generation of Domaine Chifflet's vineyard. Paul is long-time friend of Vintage, perhaps you have already met Paul Chifflet in Singapore. He used to live in the city in the 2010s!
Returning to France, he decided to take care of one hectare planted of vines planted in the family garden, in the St-Joseph appellation.
In a departure from tradition, Paul became the first in his family to bottle the estate's production, marking a significant evolution from sending everything to the cooperative cellar, a practice maintained by his father and grandfather.