Eymin-Tichoux

Northern Rhone

Location Seysseul, Northern Rhone -4ha
Grapes Syrah, Viognier
Viticulture Minimal Intervention
Producer Sophie Eymin and Kevin Tichoux
Website www.eymin-tichoux.fr
Location Seysseul, Northern Rhone - 4ha
Grapes Syrah, Viognier
Viticulture Minimal Intervention
Producer Sophie Eymin and Kevin Tichoux
Website www.eymin-tichoux.fr

Sophie Eymin and Kevin Tichoux own one of the most exciting plots of land in the Rhone Valley. You might assume this is the beautiful schist and granite slopes on which they have planted in Syrah and Viognier in the village of Seyssuel, or the little patch of Cote Rotie in 'Le Trouchet', but is is neither (although these are excellent to say the least). The plot of land is in fact their cellar, which is the only cellar in this soon to be elevated to AOP. Despite this incredible terroir being farmed by most of the great names of the northern Rhone, no one actually makes wine here, which is quite remarkable, given that the Romans were here all those years ago. 


Sophie grew up here, in this little village that sits on the eastern slops of the Rhone as it leaves Lyon and arrives at Vienne. It is one side of the narrowest point on the Rhone Valley vineyard area, and as you drive south from Lyon you can see why - great granite and schist buttresses stick out petulantly against the Rhone's erosive power. It is on these slopes that Sophie and Kevin, who met at Montpellier University, have sought old scrub land and planted their vineyards. They met in 2010 and have since worked together around the world (SA, Chile and Burgundy) and then latterly doing 4 vintages with Stephan Ogier. When planting their new vineyards they have used the traditional 'Echals' vine training, using crossed stakes to train two vines, which is both incredibly labour intensive but also allows them to work with horse in their vineyards. The pruning is Guyot Poussard, and everything is worked organically. As well as vineyards in Seyssuel, they also own a plot of Roussanne in St Joseph, rent a 0.3 plot of Condrieu, a 0.8 hectare plot in Crozes Hermitage (Mercurol) and own their plot in Cote Rotie. In all they have 4 ha and 10 plots. 

The Cellar is in the village itself (truly the only one in the area) where they have a fermentation room and an ageing room in which they keep several formats of French oak barrels. All wines are aged in oak for giving an additional, if subtle, extra layer to the wines. Typically wines spend a year ageing, and then bottled, but Cote Rotie and Avant Premiere spend an additional year in bottle. 



Eymin-Tichoux Wines

Avant Premier Blanc 100% Viognier from 6 year old vines planted on a SW slope of Mica Schist which is very rare. The fruit is pressed in a direct press and aged in 600 litre barrels. The wine is mineral, gently scented with white plum, white floral notes and pear skin and as a result of no MLF, retains a freshness and delicacy.
Cap Syrah 100% Syrah from a little vineyard planted in Saint Claire de Rhone, opposite Condrieu on the eastern bank of the Rhone. 30% wholebunch fermented in stainless steel and aged in old french barrqiue for 10 months. It is a vibrant, violent scented wine with ripe, flowing tannins and glorious syrah fruit.
Crozes Hermitage From an old vine parcel of Syrah grown on the Haut Chassis. The wine is destemmed and fermented in stainles steel, prior to direct pressing into old French oak for one year of ageing. The nose is classic Chassis, bright blackberry and violet fruit with a touch of sweet spice. The palate is dense, fulsome and well-honed. Finishes cool with an air of sophistication.
L'Arene 0.5 ha of Seysseul vines. 100% Syrah, dense, brooding, broader with 2 years in barrel. Palate is rich, honed and powerful, but also seamless. Will age for years.
Cote Rotie La Trenchet lieu dit. Old vines planted in 1968 and next to Clusel Roch, Jasmin, Jamet. 0.2 hectares now owned by E-T. Coffee, steeped berry, spice violet, leather, ferric� this is classic. Will age but why wait.
Avant Premier Blanc 100% Viognier from 6 year old vines planted on a SW slope of Mica Schist which is very rare. The fruit is pressed in a direct press and aged in 600 litre barrels. The wine is mineral, gently scented with white plum, white floral notes and pear skin and as a result of no MLF, retains a freshness and delicacy.
Cap Syrah 100% Syrah from a little vineyard planted in Saint Claire de Rhone, opposite Condrieu on the eastern bank of the Rhone. 30% wholebunch fermented in stainless steel and aged in old french barrqiue for 10 months. It is a vibrant, violent scented wine with ripe, flowing tannins and glorious syrah fruit.
Crozes Hermitage From an old vine parcel of Syrah grown on the Haut Chassis. The wine is destemmed and fermented in stainles steel, prior to direct pressing into old french oak for one year of ageing. The nose is classic Chassis, bright blackberry and violet fruit with a touch of sweet spice. The palate is dense, fulsome and well-honed. Finishes cool with an air of sophistication.
L'Arene 0.5 ha of Seysseul vines. 100% Syrah, dense, brooding, broader with 2 years in barrel. Palate is rich, honed and powerful, but also seamless. Will age for years.
Cote Rotie La Trenchet lieu dit. Old vines planted in 1968 and next to Clusel Roch, Jasmin, Jamet. 0.2 hectares now owned by E-T. Coffee, steeped berry, spice violet, leather, ferric. This is classic. Will age but why wait.