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 liqorice 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. In the mouth, 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". This wine's structure, along with its aromatic persistence, gives it a great potential for laying down.
Pairs well with red meat, feathered game and lamb in a pastry.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Coming all from the Les Chassis region and aged 14 months in barrel, the 2017 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Des Grands Chemins reveals a deep purple/plum hue as well as terrific notes of black (and some blue) fruits, graphite, liquid violets, and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied, has a silky texture, solid mid-palate depth, and a great finish. This forward, seamless, seductive Crozes will drink brilliantly for 7-8 years or more.
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James Suckling
This has a slightly reductive nose with slate, dark plums and blackberries, as well as some earthy and spicy complexity. The palate is super supple and sleek with a wealth of vibrant tannin and a smooth, cherry and plum core.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Looking even better than it did last year, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins boasts layers of dreamy black cherries and red-skinned plums. Medium to full-bodied, it's creamy textured and lush on the mid-palate, turning silky and adding dried-spice notes on the long, easy-drinking finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.
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Wine Enthusiast
Initial notes of smoke, char and dried herb in this wine ease into ripe black cherry and plum after some aeration. Full bodied and richly concentrated, the palate offers fresh, primary black-fruit flavors edged by nuances of charcuterie and thyme. It’s an approachably fruity but elegant Syrah, elevated by its savory backbone.
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Wine Spectator
Dark plum and boysenberry preserve flavors give this a ripe and enticing profile, with light anise, briar and tar notes filling in through the finish. Moderately grippy, but approachable now for the exuberant fruit. Drink now through 2024.
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.