Ligne de Crête takes its name from its exceptional location: it is the highest plot in Hermitage, perched at an altitude of 325 meters, in a place called Les Grandes Vignes, at the western end of the hill. The soil is extremely poor, granitic, shallow, and subject to climatic hazards. At this altitude, the vines grow slowly, in intense light but without excessive heat. They produce a Syrah that is tense, mineral, and precise. Harvested from Syrah vines aged 50 to 90 years located along the crest, where altitude and exposure bring a rare aromatic elevation for Hermitage. Vinification is sometimes carried out with a small proportion of whole clusters, adding complexity, and ageing in recent barrels preserves its floral precision. A prolonged ageing of 14 to 20 months depending on the vintage, followed by the additional bottle maturation, allows the purity of this high-altitude terroir to express itself with elegance and length. 

The harvest is carried out by hand, and 30% of the grapes are vinified as whole clusters to enhance freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity. Fermentation and maceration last for approximately ten days. Extractions are gentle and focused on the early stages of fermentation, with pump-overs and punch-downs adjusted daily based on the tasting of each individual vat. After pressing, the wine is racked and transferred to barrels. 

Malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels, followed by ageing for around 18 months, with the proportion of new oak limited to 30%. This is complemented by a further 18 months of ageing in stainless steel vats prior to bottling. 

The nose discloses aromas of spice and leather intertwined with deep berry aromas (blackberry, redcurrant) and heady floral notes, liquorice and incense. Its richness, complexity and elegance are by no means a contradiction. The finest granite soils of the Hermitage hillside are to thank for this wine's incredible minerality and finesse. The wine is rich and dense on entry to the palate, where it shows an elegant, broad and flavorsome character. The ripe, smooth and well-integrated tannins contribute to the wine's powerful yet harmonious structure. The palate reveals the same aromas as those found on the nose with nuances of blueberry, raspberry, violet and bitter chocolate. Ligne de Crête is characterized by its exceptional structure, harmony and balance.

After a rainy end to 2022, an exceptionally dry winter and early spring led to early and uniform budburst. The wetter late spring, with no mistral winds, was offset by favorable flowering conditions, accelerating the vegetative cycle. Veraison progressed steadily in late July. The August heatwave hastened ripening in parts of the vineyard, sometimes resulting in heterogeneity between parcels. 

This remarkably smooth and elegant wine makes the perfect partner for pigeon with lingonberries, smoked duck breast, or lamb tagine with gentle spices.