1/25/19 CROZES-HERMITAGE FRIDAY SIPS TASTING
FRIDAY SIPS
Crozes-Hermitage
Today January 25 from 1:30 - 6:30
Crozes-Hermitage
Today January 25 from 1:30 - 6:30
Something that we haven’t featured before - a full-fledged tasting of superb offerings from the Northern Rhone’s Crozes Hermitage region, located in villages and vineyards around the famed Hermitage hill. Come and get your French Syrah fix today!
2016 BELLE CROZES-HERMITAGE
'LES PIERRELLES'
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
'LES PIERRELLES'
$22.99 BTL./$275.88 CASE
Located in 11 villages that surround the famous hill of Hermitage, the appellation of Crozes-Hermitage, created in 1937, is a mosaic of terroirs. Once (and in many ways, still) dominated by the Cave du Tain Hermitage as well as large negociants. Lately there has been a movement for young producers whose families once sold their grapes who are now doing their own wines. The other faction are longtime producers like Domaine Belle who once oaked the hell out of their wines and added them to jam that have moved towards what wines on the 45th parallel ought to be, balanced, aromatic and essence of French Syrah.
After ignoring these wines for many years, it was exciting to taste them after reading about their movement towards suave and sophisticated wines. The Les Pierrelles cuvee is from two communes, Pont d’Isere and Mercurol and is aged in 2-5 year old barrels. Made from 100% Syrah grown in slightly stony soil with ample sand and red clay, this wine is instantly attractive. Dark color, this wine emits aromas of purple. Lots of blackberry, cinnamon, warm spice and undertones of strawberry and savory earth. Very flattering and full without being over the top, this fleshy red extends nicely and pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or a Sunday roast beef.
After ignoring these wines for many years, it was exciting to taste them after reading about their movement towards suave and sophisticated wines. The Les Pierrelles cuvee is from two communes, Pont d’Isere and Mercurol and is aged in 2-5 year old barrels. Made from 100% Syrah grown in slightly stony soil with ample sand and red clay, this wine is instantly attractive. Dark color, this wine emits aromas of purple. Lots of blackberry, cinnamon, warm spice and undertones of strawberry and savory earth. Very flattering and full without being over the top, this fleshy red extends nicely and pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or a Sunday roast beef.
2016 BELLE CROZES-HERMITAGE
'CUVEE LOUIS BELLE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
'CUVEE LOUIS BELLE'
$29.99 BTL./$359.88 CASE
Named after Philippe Belle’s grandfather, the cuvee Louis Belle is quite the treasure. Grown in kaolin clay with limestone in the cooler Crozes-Hermitage village of Larnage, this 100% Syrah was aged in 15% new oak with the rest being one, two and three year old barrels.
Knockout nose, ethereal plum, freshly ground tellicherry pepper, vanilla, violet and a hint of smoked meat. Voluptuously layered, the old vines (up to 100 years) shine. Broad, very palate staining all while maintaining poise and elevation. A kiss of cocoa from oak arrives just at the conclusion that happens to extend and snap back again for more. No problem to age this, in fact, we are probably uncorking it too early. Drink from end of 2020 through 2030.
Knockout nose, ethereal plum, freshly ground tellicherry pepper, vanilla, violet and a hint of smoked meat. Voluptuously layered, the old vines (up to 100 years) shine. Broad, very palate staining all while maintaining poise and elevation. A kiss of cocoa from oak arrives just at the conclusion that happens to extend and snap back again for more. No problem to age this, in fact, we are probably uncorking it too early. Drink from end of 2020 through 2030.
2016 GRAILLOT CROZES-HERMITAGE
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'If you come at the king, you best not miss' – Omar from The Wire
$34.99 BTL./$419.88 CASE
'If you come at the king, you best not miss' – Omar from The Wire
There are others beautiful wines in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation but when it comes down to it, the king stay the king. I have been drinking, cellaring and selling this much-undervalued wine since the 1988 vintage and I can say that the 2016, while young, is one of the most epic versions to emerge from this killer producer. My notes were definitely not PG-13 when describing this monumental, Grand Cru Crozes. Here is the "edited for content" take:
‘Immediate profound nose; rock-star quality. Nose teases with black plum, black cherry and alluring smoky tones. Unyielding balance and sans compromise, the texture is classic Graillot with caressing tones with lots of deceptive grip and spine from the whole clusters. Goes a bit introverted on the youthful finish, but wow, this shoots very far and sticks around for what seems to be an eternity….here's where the real Rated R notes commenced regarding this great wine, but I'll leave those to your imagination! This promises to be legendary Syrah if you can leave your hands off it. For best results, hold and then drink from 2021 – 2031+.
‘Immediate profound nose; rock-star quality. Nose teases with black plum, black cherry and alluring smoky tones. Unyielding balance and sans compromise, the texture is classic Graillot with caressing tones with lots of deceptive grip and spine from the whole clusters. Goes a bit introverted on the youthful finish, but wow, this shoots very far and sticks around for what seems to be an eternity….here's where the real Rated R notes commenced regarding this great wine, but I'll leave those to your imagination! This promises to be legendary Syrah if you can leave your hands off it. For best results, hold and then drink from 2021 – 2031+.
