Christophe Abbet 'Syrah' 2020

An enigmatic Swiss vigneron with a devoted following, Christophe Abbet is one of Europe’s great underground winemakers with an impressive roster of singular wines.

Since 1985, Christophe has tended just 2.7ha of vineyards around the villages of Martigny and Fully in Switzerland’s Valais. Using top-quality organic farming, he grows tiny quantities of local specialities Ermitage, Petite Arvine, and Chasselas, alongside Gamay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

From a converted forge in Martigny-Bourg, Christophe crafts more than twenty bottlings using a range of experimental winemaking methods, including extended elevages and ageing under flor. Bottling without filtration or added sulphur, Abbet’s wines are released only when he feels they are ready to drink, although they also have excellent cellaring potential.

The Petit Arvine has crystalline fruit with alpine freshness, while the Ermitage (Marsanne) is full-bodied and intense – the result of four years in wood and bottle. Aged for 9 years under flor, the Vin de Voile combines a rich texture and spicy nuances.

Showing a lifted, floral-savoury perfume, Abbet’s Syrah shares all the qualities of top Côte-Rôtie, while his bright and tangy Gamay from 40-year-old vines is one of the “best Gamays ever”, according to Jura winemaking legend François Rousset-Martin.

With less than 2% of Swiss wines exported and discerning local drinkers quick to secure the country’s best bottles, few get the opportunity to taste Abbet’s brilliant wines. Now is your chance!

Perfumed and lifted – violets, roses, and pepper. Long and ageworthy.