Domaine de la Pirolette - Saint Amour 2023
92/100
James Suckling
"Nothing but love for this red wine with its lovely hints of raspberry!"
“This wine offers spicy and slightly toasty aromas of ripe red and black fruits. Full-bodied and expansive on the palate, it is medium-bodied with dusty tannins. Well-structured, it is juicy and lively.” (James Suckling 2025)
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Eye
Burgundy dress
Nose
Rich and delicate, with notes of red berries and Gariguette strawberries, along with hints of violet, cherry, licorice, and white pepper
Palate
Full-bodied, with a rich, luscious texture, supple and elegant tannins, and a slightly chocolatey finish
Serve
At 15-18°C
Drink before
2028
Food and wine pairings
Pairs well with Bresse chicken, pork tenderloin with mushrooms, chestnut purée, langoustines, pad Thai...
Bettane & Desseauve
Rated estate (2021 guide) 2*Stars (A solid, recommendable vintage, though slightly more consistent and uniform than the previous one)
About the estate:
Grégory Barbet, son of the former director of Jean Loron, produced his first vintage in 2013. With 15 hectares of vineyards perfectly situated around the estate, Grégory quickly realized the need to work with the diversity of this appellation, which is better known for its evocative name than for these previously little-known plots. While his village cuvée offers a reliable, structured style, his single-vineyard cuvées, Poulette and Carjot, are still evolving. Indeed, while the use of oak has improved, it is the blending with concrete eggs that has truly brought a more subtle balance to the oak-aged wines, reaching its peak in 2018. In an appellation where benchmarks were lacking, here is a young estate to watch, both for the rising quality of its wines and for the infectious passion that drives this young winemaker.
Robert Parker - Wine Advocate
Rated estate (2021 guide) Recommended (Wine producer recommended by Robert Parker - The Wine Advocate)
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Rated estate (2021 guide) Selected (Please note that this guide is a ranking, and as such, all the estates listed here—even those without a star—represent, in our view, the pinnacle of French winemaking.)
About the estate:
A former sales executive in the cooperage industry, Virginie Barbet purchased this estate in 2013 with her husband Grégory and a few investor friends. The grapes are either destemmed or left whole during vinification, depending on the cuvée. But always with a “toasted cap” accompanied by pumping over and racking to ensure gentle extraction. She then ages their various single-vineyard cuvées—which are among the cru’s most distinctive terroirs—in French oak barrels and concrete eggs. Today, they are among the few estates restoring Saint-Amour’s status as a cru.
James Suckling
Wine rated (2025 guide) 92/100
Rated estate (2021 guide) Recommended
About the wine:
This wine offers spicy and slightly toasty aromas of ripe red and black fruits. Full-bodied and expansive on the palate, it is medium-bodied with dusty tannins. Well-structured, it is juicy and lively. Enjoy now or cellar for the future.
Customer rating
4.3/5
based on 3 reviews
Review by Mr. GILLES D. Published on 07/25/2025
It’s hard not to succumb to the irresistible charm of this Saint-Amour, elevated by a luminous 2023 vintage. The palate is broad and full of energy, unfolding a pulpy, tangy juice of high intensity with notes of crisp red berries and a subtle peppery note. A beautiful mineral resonance and deep, delicately velvety tannins extend the savory, vibrant finish that seals the deal. A guaranteed pairing with a golden, oven-roasted Lyonnaise andouillette served with old-fashioned mustard sauce, followed by a soft, almost creamy farmhouse Saint-Nectaire. Rating = 4.3.
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Review by Mr. MATHIEU W. Posted on July 22, 2025
A fairly dark purplish-red color. Nose: compact, still somewhat closed. Dark and red fruit. Earthy notes, forest floor. On the palate, an explosion of juicy and crisp red fruit: red berries, raspberries, cherries. Followed by earthiness and spiciness, as well as some umami. Deliciously ripe, rich, and full-bodied impressions. Soft tannins still quite present, grip, tension, and character. A true beauty with perfect balance. Long finish with juicy fruit and some savory notes. This Saint-Amour is definitely one to keep! Score: 16.5/20
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Review by Mr. BENOIT L. Posted on 10/10/2025
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