Domaine Christinat
Noé is the inheritor of the family Domaine Christinat. From just a glance, it's strikingly obvious why Noés parents settled between the communes of Aigle and Ollon, in the Vaudois region of the Chablais. The view is quite simply splendid, as their vineyard nestles in between the peaks of the alps.
Those who've already gotten to know Matthias Orsett, will recognize Noé's name - he's the other half of the dynamic duo, who so elegantly set up a hatchback-trunk tasting during the Nez dans le Vert in Jura, on our last trip to the region. Noé has got a charming character to him, open and honest, always eager and exploring - the same can be said for his approach to winemaking. While his parents managed a conventional and traditional domaine, he saw no issue in turning on a heel as he took over. Previously, he worked a deskjob, which no doubt was not the right fit for him, considering his skills as a vigneron. From the very get-go of his adventure as head of the domaine, Noé has converted to non-interventive agricultural practices, supporting the local climat and it's flourishing, rather than slowly degrading it with pesticides. He's got a curious mind, not affraid to experiement with techniques of vinification previously unknown to his cellar, in order to reach a satisfactory result. He's even had a quick stint of previously attempting to include macerated apples and fig leaves in his wines (however not represented in our selection).
The diversity of grapes found on the vines of the family plots at Antagnes-sur-Ollon and Aigle are diverse, and come across as far more expressive of their terroir and the winemakers ambition, than that of generic grape descriptors. Noé Vinifies a Chasselas which takes us back to Jura, a berry-bomb rayure from Pinot Noir and Gris exuding the everlasting of youthful love, and an array of differently labeled Pinor Noir, Gamay and Merlot as well, aiming for the upper echelons of serious and ambitious reds. His labels might be fun and playful, but they represent far more than meets the eye.
