Winemaker Notes
The color is deep, with a garnet hue deepened by purple tinges. To the nose, this Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins shows seductive whiffs of crushed black fruit (dark cherries, blackberries and blackcurrants) which evolve in the glass to reveal slightly smoky and licorice notes, all these being quite typical from the Chassis area. In retro-olfaction, and on a mineral black-ground, menthol and eucalyptus express their hints. On the palate, the seriousness of the wine combines with its delicacy: the first impact is fresh and lively. The texture is tannic but intense, pulpy, almost silky. This truly balanced wine expresses a nice complexity generous and true to the genuine terroir of the Domaine des Grands Chemines.
Pair with red meat or feathered game.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Delas Frères acquired this 50-acre vineyard in 2006, the parcels planted on the river benches along Le Chassis, where the Isère meets the Rhône. Jacques Grange has fine-tuned the winemaking as the team has come to know the vineyard; this wine is a selection from 17 acres picked parcel by parcel. Vinified in open cement tanks, the wine ages for 14 months in a combination of tanks and used Burgundy barrels. The 2016 is immediately inviting, as fresh as just-pressed berries; with time in the glass, the tannins rise to meet the fruit, creating a fine weave of earthy flavor and soaring, floral red fruit. It’s young and vibrant, suited to drink now or to cellar.
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Jeb Dunnuck
All from an estate in Crozes Hermitage (which is owned by Delas Frères), the 2016 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Des Grands Chemins offers a slightly more straightforward profile yet is still a beautiful wine. Blackberries, black cherries, crushed rocks, and peppery notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, elegant red that has obvious minerality, good density, and a tight, clean, pure style that's going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age. This cuvée was brought up in a combination of tank and used smaller barrels.
Rating: 92+
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Wine Spectator
Delightful red and black cherry fruit bounces through, flecked with anise details and a light black tea hint. A fine chalky edge guides the finish while the fruit plays out. Drink now through 2022.
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James Suckling
There’s approachable charm here. The aromas of blackberries and blueberries are nicely cut and cloaked in spice, leading to a crunchy, boldly grainy palate. Punchy Crozes.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Crozes-Hermitage is Northern Rhone’s largest appellation, surrounding the steep granite faces of Hermitage to its north and south. Here the rolling vineyards are less extreme and its soils, rich in clay-limestone and alluvial matter, produce Syrahs that range from fruity and charming to lush and seductive. The Syrahs of Crozes-Hermitage have more mass than those from St. Joseph but are less intense than those from Hermitage. While many are intended for early consumption, some of the best Syrahs from Crozes-Hermitage will age beautifully for 5-10 years.
Up to 15% of white grapes may theoretically be added to red Crozes at the time of fermentation but whether this is done or not depends on the decision of the winemaker. The best Crozes-Hermitage Syrahs will be fleshy with black fruit (currant, blackberry and black cherry) and bay leaf qualities, notes of tar and stone, and a well-concentrated finish of smooth tannins.
About a tenth of the wine produced in Crozes-Hermitage is white, primarily composed of Marsanne supplemented by smaller amounts of Roussanne.