From the Wine Trail: La Paroisse
The heat wave in France has broken, with thunderstorms and rain that is more than welcome after a week of +95° temperatures. I pulled up the drive of Domaine de la Paroisse and Jean-Claude exited his home with a big smile on his face — the rain meant relief for his vines, and a chance to get back out and do some work.
Of course, Jean-Claude is an optimist and a go-getter, so no matter the situation he always has a smile on his face, laughing away the day-to-day challenges with grace and humility. We could all take a page from his book.
It’s as much for Jean-Claude and Laetitia Chaucesse’s warm welcome and laid-back demeanor, as for their inviting and refreshing wines, that make a stop at Domaine de la Paroisse essential on any itinerary to France. After a few challenging days of travel, there is nothing quite like the familiar comfort of these wines shared in good company. And it made a perfect rendez-vous stop for Dan to join, so we could taste through the latest vintage of wines before Jean-Claude bottles them next month.
There's a reliable rhythm to these visits that never gets old: Catching up over a walk through the vines, a barrel tasting, the recent vintage discussed, and then, without fail, Jean-Claude ducks away for a moment, reappearing with a chilled bottle of his Chardonnay, followed by the rest of the lineup.
Tasting through the wines, I asked directly “Are you happy with the new vintage?”
“Oui!” was the emphatic reply… “There are always challenges, but with results like this, how can you not be happy?”
Well, while we wait for the 2025s vintage to be bottled and shipped our way, we have a handful of bottles, of 5 different wines available from La Paroisse, in stock and available for pick up upon my return.
1) Chardonnay 2024
Made in a “naked style,” that is, no oak, minimal intervention. Just pure, expressive fruit and a silky richness that pulls you back in sip after sip. Bright lemon zest, crisp orchard apple, a whisper of salinity on the finish. This is light on its feet, while generous in spirit.
2) ‘Coup de Soleil’ Rosé 2025
Breath this in and you’ll feel like you’re walking through a field of ripe Hood strawberries, with that late spring floral breeze in the air. Juicy, generous and slurp-able, this is a glass full of red fruits with a powerful thirst quenching quality. A bottle of this tends to go fast once opened - better grab a few!
3) ‘Coup de Coeur’ 2023
This is simply irresistible Gamay. From the estates “young vines” — at 45+ years old, anywhere else would be considered vieille vigne. Fresh, bright and juicy, with fresh strawberry, red currant, and a sneaky complexity from the mature, deep-rooted vines.
4) ‘Coup de Foudre’ 2023
The 2023 vintage was exceptional for the Domaine, and this wine is an exquisite examples of the poise and energy that Jean-Claude captures in the bottle. Dark fruit, silky texture, a finish that lingers. The wine you open when you want the evening to slow down and stretch out.
5) ‘1878’ 2024
Old vineyards are a living museum, and Domaine de la Paroisse hosts an unparalleled exhibit: 148-year-old Gamay vines, hunkering close to the ground, producing just a dozen perfect clusters each year. For nearly a century and a half, through abundant years and trying ones, they have only grown more complex and balanced — the 2024 being no exception. As ever, this wine delivers balance, poise, and pure concentrated Gamay fruit, with beautiful plum and black cherry, a hint of baking spice on the nose, a mid-palate that is juicy and bright, and a mineral finish that is lasting. In a word, this wine is complete.