2023 Château Constellation Pinot Noir

The Château Constellation winery in Sion

Château Constellation is located in Sion, in the Swiss canton of Valais. It is one of the few estates in the country officially entitled to the title of "Château." Nestled in the mountains, the winery is literally part of the landscape. The modern architecture, built with natural materials such as granite, slate, and larch wood, is designed according to the golden ratio. This symbolizes the balance between nature, man, and technology that characterizes the estate.

The cellars of Château Constellation benefit from a natural microclimate. The surrounding rocks maintain a stable temperature, and the meltwater from the Alps provides natural cooling. The vineyards are sustainably managed and are Vitival-certified, a label that guarantees respect for nature and biodiversity.

The estate covers some eighty hectares of vineyards along the Rhône River, in a region where wine has been produced for over 2,500 years. With over 300 sunny days a year, only 600 millimeters of rainfall, and the warm foehn wind that accelerates ripening, Valais offers exceptional conditions for viticulture. The slate and granite soils give the wines their refined minerality. Château Constellation collaborates with world-renowned oenologist Michel Rolland, whose experience contributes to the consistent quality and finesse of the wines.

Region and climate – Valais, the heart of Swiss wine growing

Valais is Switzerland's largest and most diverse wine region, accounting for a third of the national wine production. The vineyards are spread across steep terraces between 450 and 1,100 meters in altitude, making them among the highest in Europe. These steep slopes, often supported by centuries-old stone walls, define the character of the wines from this area.

The climate is dry and sunny, with significant temperature variations between day and night. This allows the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The clay and limestone soils provide structure and tension, while the altitude adds freshness. Château Constellation uses the innovative Ganimede system, which utilizes the natural carbon dioxide from fermentation to gently macerate the wine. This subtly extracts color and aromas without forcing the grapes.

The wine Château Constellation Pinot Noir

The Château Constellation Pinot Noir AOC Valais comes from the slopes around Chamoson, Ardon, Sion, and Sierre, at an altitude of between 480 and 590 meters. The vines are planted on clay and limestone soils and are pruned according to the Guyot pruning system. With a low yield of around 800 grams per square meter and a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare, the fruit quality is very high.

Pinot Noir, originally from Burgundy, was introduced to Switzerland as early as 1420 by Duchess Marie of Burgundy. Since then, the grape has become one of the flagship wines of Valais, where it displays a unique combination of elegance, freshness, and minerality.

Harvest and vinification

The grapes are hand-picked at peak ripeness. This is followed by a slow maceration of twenty days, during which color and tannins are gradually extracted. The wine then matures for ten months in stainless steel vats, where the second fermentation also takes place. This ensures smoothness and a harmonious structure.

The Pinot Noir is deliberately not over-aged. This preserves the pure fruit expression. The alcohol content is 13 percent. The wine is best served between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius and has a aging potential of five to twenty years.

Color, smell and taste

In the glass, the wine is a deep amaranth red with a vibrant sheen. The aroma evokes red berries, cherries, and a hint of forest floor. The palate is refined and smooth, with notes of red and black currant, a light spice, and a velvety texture. The tannins are soft and well-integrated. The finish is long and harmonious, with a beautiful balance of fruit and freshness.

This Pinot Noir is an expressive yet elegant wine that offers great enjoyment now, but also boasts years of aging potential. It combines the finesse of Burgundy with the energy of the Swiss mountain terroir.

Would you like to order Château Constellation wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address.
You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others.

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Wine and food pairings

• Duck breast with cherry reduction – the fresh acidity and red fruit notes bring balance to the dish.

• Veal oyster with grilled vegetables – the elegant structure of the wine complements the tender meat beautifully.

• Risotto with wild mushrooms and truffle – the earthy notes of the dish enhance the subtle spiciness of the wine.

• Tuna steak with soy marinade – the wine has enough freshness to support the savoury character of the fish.

• Venison fillet with parsnip puree – the depth and length of the wine combine well with the rich flavours of the game.

• Coq au vin with thyme and shallots – a classic pairing where wine and food complement each other perfectly.