Vignoble Jean-Luc Jamet

Overview

The domaine was created in 2013 when brothers Jean-Luc and Jean-Paul Jamet (see Domaine Jamet) went their separate ways. Jean-Luc was charged with looking after the vineyard under the old united family domaine. He holds 5 hectares of Côte-Rôtie, 2 ha of Côtes du Rhône, and 1 ha of Vin de Pays at 400 metres altitude. Son Benoit (born 1999, BTS at Mâcon-Davayé) joined full-time in 2019.

Philosophy: “We want wines that are very digestible, that drink easily — that’s my change of optic since my first life.”

Appellations

• Côte-Rôtie
• Côtes du Rhône

Key Wines

• Terrasses (Côte-Rôtie) — the main wine. 5-star in 2015, 4-5 star in 2016/2018/2019, 4-star in 2017/2020. Raising has risen from 10 months at the outset to ~20 months, improving cohesion and expression
• L’Enclave (Côtes du Rhône red, formerly “Hautes Vignes”) — from early 1990s Syrah on schist at Bonnevières, a regular 4-star performer
• Couzou (Côtes du Rhône white) — 60% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, 20% Viognier; the Marsanne gives length away from the plump tendencies of the other two varieties
• Valine (Vin de France / IGP red)

75% of the 2013 wine was sold in bulk; this fell to 50% in 2014, 25% in 2015, and zero from 2016 onwards.

Style Notes

Digestible, easy-drinking wines — a deliberate stylistic departure from the more structured wines of the original Jamet domaine. The Terrasses has improved significantly as its élevage has been extended, while the Côtes du Rhône offers strong value from schist-grown Syrah just outside the appellation.

Key Wines & Vintage Notes (JLL / drinkRhone.com)

Cote-Rotie Terrasses

100% Syrah from 5 ha across Lancement, Bonnivieres, Chavaroche, Mornachon, La Landonne, Moutonnes, etc. 65% destemmed, 21-day vinification, 18-20 months in oak (20-30% new). 25,000-26,650 bottles.

• 2023 — “Good, traditional Rotie with grainy tannins, active dark red fruits, genuine.” 13 degrees. From late-2026. Drink 2042-44.
• 2022 (cask) — “Knuckled wine, very much on its rather raw tannins which are very rocky. Spartan elements.” From 2027-28. Drink 2045-47.
• 2020 — **** overall. Cask no. 4 was ***(): “Pedigree, very fluid and continuous, striking, delicious.” J-Luc: “You refind the image of the old Syrah vine cuttings.” Drink 2046-48.
• 2019 — “Iron lined run of red fruits. The feel of an altitude, slow burn wine in this sun-filled vintage. Rather cerebral.” J-L: “Very grand freshness in our hot vintages.” Drink 2048-50.
• 2018 — “Clenched start, digs in deeply, depth very thorough. Peppered, mineral lined, spinal wine. Genuine, of its place Rotie.” Drink 2045-47.
• 2016 — Three cask samples all ***(). “Real good heart and depth. Captures the imagination.” Drink 2038-40.
• 2015 — “Bold, bold bouquet. Mountain of matter. Sparkling and dense fruits. Real flair. A treat to taste.” ***** level. Drink 2040-42.

Cotes du Rhone L’Enclave (formerly Hautes Vignes)

100% Syrah (early 1990s) from schist on Bonnivieres. 65-70% destemmed, 10 months in oak. 5,500 bottles. Very strong value.

• 2023 — “Rose and blackberry, mineral touch, notion of schist terroir. Natural, genuine, cosy.” Drink 2033-35.
• 2020 — “Rather serious, successful, fruit-forward.” J-Luc: “It’s structured.” Drink 2028-30.
• 2019 — “Mini Cote-Rotie, a good substitute, the quality very solid.” Iron filings a-plenty. Drink 2036-38.
• 2018 — “Good integrity.” Drink 2033-35.
• 2015 — “Good drive and weight act in tandem. Real good length.” Drink 2028-29.

Cotes du Rhone Couzou white

60% Marsanne, 20% Roussanne, 20% Viognier from 1 ha. 67% steel, 33% oak. 6,000-6,500 bottles.

• 2019 — “Close-knit, firm richness, good structure, sound length. Serious Cotes blanc.” Suited to truffled dishes. Drink 2029-30.
• 2015 — “Up to St Jo blanc standard.” VALUE at 16 euros. Drink 2023-24.

Valine (Vin de France / IGP red)

100% Syrah from schist at 400m on Le Vallin. 67% destemmed. 10,500 bottles.

• 2019 — “A hound dog, a grounded wine.” Cassis, coffee, white tobacco. Drink 2034-36.
• 2015 — “Very good, Rock on Tommy vin de pays.” Good black fruits, iron, salted aftertaste. Drink 2026-27.

Pinot Noir Schistes (IGP)

100% Pinot Noir from 0.15 ha at 400-420m on schist. Only 1,000 bottles. First wine 2015.

• 2017 — “Jolly, true Pinot Noir air. Resembles New World Otago Pinot!” Drink 2021-22.

My Tastings

Sources

• sources/articles/JLL/Jean-Luc_Jamet.txt — JLL / drinkRhone.com producer profile
• sources/articles/JLL/rhone_wines_data.json — JLL / drinkRhone.com wine-by-wine vintage notes