Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
Inky ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry and boysenberry scents are complemented by suggestions of exotic spices, candied flowers, vanilla and licorice. Juicy and expansive in the mouth, offering vibrant red and blue fruit preserve, spicecake, olive and violet pastille flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. The floral and spice notes repeat strongly on the strikingly long finish, which shows outstanding clarity and velvety, slowly building tannins. The vineyard was planted in 1952, and this bottling is always among the standouts of Crozes-Hermitage; it really transcends the appellation in this vintage.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Crozes Hermitage Clos des Grives looks extremely promising from barrel, with wonderful violet and raspberry shadings underscored by deeper, darker notes of black cherries and black olives. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich and velvety in the mouth with a long, vibrant finish.
Barrel Sample: 92-94 -
Wine Spectator
Reveals incense and sanguine notes, with fresh blackberry and fruitcake spice accents. Juicy on the round palate, with charred mesquite and white pepper adding intrigue.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
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.