Winemaker Notes
Dark with hints of deep purple. The nose has intense blackcurrant and violet aromas with spicy notes of white pepper, licorice, vanilla, black olives and a hint of laurel leaves. The palate is harmonious and firm, suggestive of cherries and blackcurrant with long and well defined tannins on the finish. The long and flavorful finale reveals black fruits notes.
Professional Ratings
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2024 Maison Brotte CROZES-HERMITAGE La Rollande shows a deep ruby-purple color and opens with dense black fruit and slightly rustic earth aromas. Full-bodied and richly textured on the palate, it delivers depth and presence, with bright black fruit flavors accented by a subtle twist of licorice. The wine carries through with a lasting, satisfying finish, combining richness with lift. A natural pairing would be grilled lamb chops with rosemary or a slow-braised beef dish, both of which complement the wine’s depth, texture, and savory undertones. (Tasted: March 20, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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.