Winemaker Notes
An artistic expression of Syrah, a gourmet treat. 100% Syrah, old vines. Granitic terraced slopes and alluvial soils of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. The grapes are hand-picked, de-stemmed and vinified under controlled temperature. The wine is then aged eight months partly in recent oak barrels and in tank.
Dark purple color. On the nose, the wine is intense; reminiscent of blackberries and licorice, supported by notes of black pepper. The palate offers a wonderful combination of the New World and Old World styles as this wine has lots of fresh cherry and black plum fruit flavors against an intense, spicy, mineral background.
Pairs well with red meats, hearty pasta dishes with garlic and red sauce, barbecue and aged cheeses.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Delicate swirls of toffee and caramel lend warmth and spice to this plump, creamy Syrah. Black cherry and berry flavors are cushioned by fine, velvety tannins. A primary, immediately accessible Northern Rhône Syrah, it's best enjoyed 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.