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. 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
As to the Northern Rhônes, 2018 is clearly an impressive vintage for this estate. The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine Des Grands Chemins reveals a deep ruby/purple hue as well as classic Northern Rhône Syrah notes of darker, earthy fruits, ground pepper, violets, and spice. It's elegant, medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and has moderate tannins, all making for an already delicious, impeccably made wine. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Piercing flavors of cassis and blueberry are edged by granite, sweet spice and smoke in this full-bodied Syrah. Matured 14 months in a combination of tank and used Burgundian barrels, it's weighty and substantial on the palate yet vibrantly balanced and mineral too. The finish lingers on fine-grained, delicately gripping tannins. At peak now–2028.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and nicely detailed, with an engaging mix of plum and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors followed by licorice snap and bramble accents on the finish. Nice tarry streak keeps it grounded. Best from 2022 through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Marked by scents of clove, pepper and allspice, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins delivers ample spice-driven complexity layered over a base of cherry fruit. It's medium-bodied and silky, with deftly managed tannins that leave an impression of soft dustiness on the savory, olive-tinged finish.
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.