| Region of production: | Côte-Rôtie |
| Winery Location: | Ampuis |
| Year Established: | 1936 |
Vineyard Holdings
Côte-Rôtie: 4 ha Syrah
- Chavaroche: 1.2 ha, oldest vines planted in 1944 (average age 40 years); soil is schist
- Côte Brune: 0.73 ha of younger vines; schist soils
- Côte Blonde: oldest vines planted 1929
- La Landonne: 0.33 ha, planted 1944-1946
Top Wines Produced
(unique to the US market)
- Côte-Rôtie “La Chavaroche”
- Côte-Rôtie “Les Journaries”
Inaugural Vintages
- Côte-Rôtie “La Chavaroche” in 1983; Côte-Rôtie “Les Journaries” in 2004
Average Total Production
- 12,000 – 14,400 bottles
Summary
Nicole and Bernard Levet took over their tiny family domaine from Nicole’s father Marius Chambeyron in 1983, and their daughter Agnès has also worked with them since 2004. They work with 100% Syrah in the traditional Côte Blonde and Côte Brune heartland of the Côte-Rôtie AOP. The family has always been big believers in the old “Petite Sérine” strain of Syrah, having never used any nursery clones in their vineyards.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The outlook is firmly traditional at Levet. The grapes are generally fermented as whole clusters in epoxy-lined concrete vats for up to three weeks. The wines are aged three years in oak: the first year in large casks, the second year in demi-muids (10-15% new), and the third year in a mix of cask sizes. Bottling is done without filtration. The Levet wines are firm and uncompromising, needing time in the bottle to show their best.
Producer Website: Bernard Levet