The Lost Rhône Cru Brought Back to Life
Brézème is one of the smallest and most unique terroirs in the Rhône Valley, a micro-appellation on a limestone-rich slope at the southernmost edge of the Northern Rhône. In the 19th century, it was considered the equal of Hermitage… and then it nearly vanished. Abandoned after phylloxera, its wines were forgotten—until Eric Texier brought it back from obscurity.
Because Brézème lies within the Northern Rhône, it is planted entirely to Syrah. But this is not the ripe, sun-drenched style many expect from the new world. The limestone soils and cool exposure give incredible tension, mineral lift, and aromatic precision. It’s Syrah with nerve—violet, black pepper, savory herbs, dark fruit, and a long, energetic finish.
Texier’s path to wine is as fascinating as the terroir itself. Before becoming a vigneron, he worked as a nuclear engineer, and he brings the same meticulous precision and thoughtful intention to his farming and winemaking. Yet, rather than chasing power or extraction, his philosophy was shaped in Burgundy, where he trained and absorbed the importance of terroir expression, balance, finesse, and longevity from Jean-Marie Guffens at Verget
That Burgundian influence shows in every glass. He farms organically, harvests at optimal ripeness for lower alcohol and higher natural acidity, and vinifies with whole clusters, native yeasts, and minimal intervention. No makeup—just purity, tension, and transparency.
The 2022 Brézème is a brilliant example: lifted, elegant, beautifully structured, and already a joy to drink, yet clearly built to age. It’s Northern Rhône soul with Burgundian grace—at a Côtes du Rhône price.
This is one of the most singular wines in the region, from a visionary producer who literally resurrected a lost appellation.
