Among the most poetic expressions of Syrah from the Northern Rhône, the 2023 La Chana Côte-Rôtie Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux combines finesse, purity and energy in a remarkably nuanced reading of the vintage. From gneiss slopes, this mineral terroir gives the wine an airy elegance and vibrant freshness. La Chana appeals to those seeking a subtle Côte-Rôtie, with bright fruit and a silky texture, while meeting contemporary dining demands for digestibility. Its style—fruity with delicate extraction—reveals notes of red berries and fine herbs, supported by chiselled tannins that shape a slender, savoury palate. Far from showmanship, this cuvée speaks of balance, poise and accuracy, and joins gastronomic conversation with rare grace. Appreciated by critics and tasters alike, it delivers a precise, luminous sensory experience true to the spirit of Côte-Rôtie.

Blend and winemaking

This red wine showcases Syrah, the emblematic grape of the appellation, here worked with light extraction to preserve the fruit's clarity and the mouthfeel. The expression of gneiss, a metamorphic rock with fine textures, lends a straight architecture and a saline impression on the finish. The well-managed ripeness of the 2023 vintage enables a pure, fruity profile, while ageing—deliberately discreet in its imprint—supports the wine without marking it. This approach favours aromatic precision, respect for the raw material and transparency of the terroir. La Chana thus asserts itself as a lace-like cuvée, crafted with constant attention to freshness, the rhythm of the vintage, and the overall harmony of the tasting.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Bright ruby with purple highlights, clear and glossy, announcing an elegant, concentrated material without heaviness.
• Nose : Fine and precise, on fresh red berries, violet, a touch of fine herbs and gentle spices. Aeration reveals a mineral dimension evoking warm rock, which subtly frames the bouquet.
• Palate : Upright, juicy attack, light to medium-bodied, supple and delicately polished tannins. The mid-palate stretches on freshness, crunchy fruit and a saline thread, leading to a clean, flavoursome and highly digestible finish.

Serving temperature and advice

Serve at cellar freshness, in large glasses that showcase Syrah and the delicacy of the fruit. Decanting a few minutes before serving allows the bouquet to open and the texture to gain silkiness. La Chana reveals all its charm at the table, where its finesse and persistence converse with dishes without ever dominating them. Store the bottle away from light, at a stable temperature, to preserve aromatic purity and the integrity of the tannins. Depending on preferences, a slightly chilled service will emphasise the cuvée's verticality and floral dimension.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : delicate artisanal cured meats, duck rillette, black olive tapenade toasts.
• Starters : beef carpaccio, thyme-grilled vegetables, country terrine with herbs.
• Main courses : roasted poultry with reduced jus, veal filet with a short jus, pink lamb chops with herbs, mushroom risotto.
• Cheeses : mountain tomme, aged brie, farmhouse Saint-Nectaire, ash-ripened goat cheese.
• Desserts : lightly sweet red fruit tart, chocolate fondant with warm spices.

Tasting occasions

The 2023 La Chana is the ideal companion:

• For a gathering of enthusiasts favouring the balance and grace of a great Northern Rhône.
• At a gastronomic dinner where aromatic precision complements well-controlled cooking and delicate jus.
• As a gift for a connoisseur, an elegant signature from a recognised domaine and a luminous vintage.

Characteristics

• Name : 2023 La Chana, Côte-Rôtie, Domaine Benjamin et David Duclaux
• Appellation : Côte-Rôtie AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2023
• Grape : Syrah
• Alcohol : 13%
• Ageing : Ageing not disclosed
• Volume : 75 cl
• Cellaring : Not disclosed
• Serving temperature : Cellar freshness