Region of production: Côte-Rôtie
Winery Location: Ampuis
Year Established: 1976
Summary: The Jamet domaine was founded by Joseph Jamet in the 1950s, and with the help of sons Jean-Paul and Jean-Luc, the Jamets began domaine bottling in 1976. The brothers took over the domaine in 1991 and have continually planted new vineyards and expanded the domaine, mostly in the northern sector of the appellation with its schist soils. Jamet firmly believes in the virtues of blending over the production of single-site wines (with one notable exception); the domaine’s Côte-Rôtie is typically a blend of their 25 parcels across 17 lieux-dits. In early 2013 Jean-Luc left the family domaine, reportedly taking two hectares of vineyards with him. However, news to date has been spotty about the split and may be worth following in the coming years.
Vineyard Holdings: 8 ha Côte-Rôtie, 100% Syrah
Average Total Production: 2,500 cases
Top Wines Produced:
Inaugural Vintage (for top wines): Côte-Rôtie in 1976
Brief Description of Style / Vinification Techniques: For many people, Domaine Jamet is THE reference point for classically styled Côte-Rôtie. The grapes are partially de-stemmed according to the vintage— though the decision is not by rote. For example, the warm 2009 vintage was fermented as whole clusters, as was the much cooler 2011, but unique aspects of each vintage led to Jean-Paul’s corresponding decisions. Fermentation is in stainless steel tanks in their refurbished, gravity-flow cellar, and the wines are aged in barrel for 18-22 months (maximum 20% new oak for the Côte-Rôtie; 33% new oak for “Côte Brune”). The wines are neither fined nor filtered at bottling.
Importer Website:
http://www.robertkacherselections.com/portfolio_detail.php?itemno=j100106
Producer Website: n/a