Alain Graillot - Crozes-Hermitage 2019 (750ml)

n France’s Northern Rhone Valley, there are few names as revered as Graillot. It was in 1985 that the now legendary Alain Graillot, who after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac, came back to his home in Crozes-Hermitage to start his own domaine. With each passing year his devotion to the art of making hauntingly delicious Syrah from his organically farmed, stone-laden vineyards, has been rewarded with an ever growing and highly dedicated following around the world. 

All the work is still completely the same as it ever was: hand-harvesting, organic farming, whole-cluster fermentation, and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.  The domaine’s status as one of the top domaines in all of France is without question, this wine is a must-have for any serious Northern Rhone fan.

Deep, glistening ruby. Cherry, blackberry, licorice, cracked pepper and a floral nuance on the highly fragrant nose. Shows fine definition and breadth to its juicy dark fruit, spice and cola flavors, which take on olive and smoky bacon notes as the wine opens up. Leads with fruit, but there's good depth here as well. Finishes long and spicy, with lingering pepper and floral notes and discreet tannins that lend gentle grip.

Atypically big, rich and velvety, the 2019 Crozes Hermitage emanates from a vintage whose yields were cut in half by hail. Bottled in March 2021, it delivers rolling waves of ripe black cherries, tinged with understated herbal notes and a long, luxuriously textured finish. 92+