Crozes-Hermitage (14) Domaine des Hauts Châssis
Next stop was at Domaine des Hauts Châssis, for a visit and tasting with the Raphaël Faugier. His father created the winery in 2003, which was the first vintage here. This is a six-generation family farm. Before they focused on vines they also had apricots and peaches, as well as sheeps and cows.
Raphaël’s father sold grapes to the Cave de Tain, so they already had old vines when they started.
Raphaël came back to Chassis in 2022 after studying in Mâcon and Montpellier, and doing vintage at Villard and then driving a tractor for 6 months in Vinsobres. Before returning his last vintage was at Vincent Pinard in Sancerre. In 2023 he made the wines alongside his father, and in 2023 did the entire vinification.
They have 20 hectares of vines, with 17 of Syrah and 3 of white. Farming has been organic since 1998, certified since 2017. They also have a hectare in Saint-Joseph and half a hectare in Saint-Peray. Recent vintages have been a bit tricky: in 2019 they lost 90% to hail, then 2020 was hot, 2021 rainy, 2022 hot and 2023 and 2024 very rainy.
THE WINES
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Cuvée L’Essential Crozes-Hemitage Blanc 2023
80% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, just stainless steel. Expressive and exotic with pear and peach fruit with a hint of aniseed. Good balance with some rich melon and apricot notes, but it always stays fresh. 94/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Aurora Crozes-Hemitage Blanc 2022
100% Roussanne in demi muids. Full yellow colour. Mealy and spicy with some vanilla and toast, with rich pear and white peach fruit. The oak is showing a bit but there’s lovely fruit intensity here. Fine spicy notes on the finish. 94/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Zenith Crozes-Hemitage Blanc 2022
100% Marsanne in demi muids. From the village of Crozes-Hermitage with loess soils. Rich and bold with lovely peach, toast, bread and melon notes, as well as ripe pear and minerals. Shows freshness and energy with a slight saltiness. Serious stuff, and needs time to emerge. 95/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Esquisse Crozes-Hemitage 2023
This is from 20 year old vines on white clay with large galets. Stainless steel. Aromatic and floral with red cherries and raspberries. Light, low-extraction style with floral red cherry fruit. Lovely texture and freshness with real poise and elegance. 94/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Les Galets Crozes-Hemitage 2022
50 year old vines aged in used small oak. White and red clay with galets. Nice density here. Concentrated and supple with dense red berry and cherry fruit, showing subtle pepper and lovely tannins. Has concentration and weight but also refinement. 94/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis ‘Les Chassis’ Crozes-Hemitage 2022
Red clay soils, from two plots, 100 year old vines. Brooding and dark with sweet blackberry and black cherry fruit. Refined but has some brooding olive and meat savouriness. The palate has nice concentration and density with a bit of grip, showing minerals and spice with good intensity. This has polish, texture and concentration, but also grip. 95/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis Vespera Crozes-Hemitage 2022
This is part of the Chassis plot, harvested in small crates, chilled overnight. 20% whole bunch, 4 day cold maceration, and then a watering can infusion approach during fermentation. Then 12 months ageing in demi muids. Brooding and dense with ripe cherry and blackberry fruit. Has some peppery framing and some tannin, but the main theme is concentrated but lush black fruits. So sleek and assured with nice velvety tannins. Very fine. 95/100
Domaine des Hauts Châssis
995, Chemin des Hauts Châssis – 26600 La Roche de Glun
+33 (0) 6 07 76 91 96
CROZES-HERMITAGE
- Chapoutier
- Paul Jaboulet Aîné
- Maison et Domaines Les Alexandrins
- Cave de Tain
- Delas Frères
- Yann Chave
- Luc Tardy/Domaine du Murinais
- Domaine Combier
- Domaine Delhome
- Domaine Pradelle
- Domaine des Lises/ Domaine Alain Graillot
- Domaine des Hauts Châssis
- Domaine Belle
- Clairmont
- Domaine des Combat
- Domaine Laurent Fayolle
- A big tasting of Crozes-Hermitage
