Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhône

The vineyards of Crozes Hermitage surround the hill of Hermitage and so are subject to similar climatic conditions, though they do not rise as high, nor are they on the steepest slopes. The difference between the wines of Crozes Hermitage and Hermitage can be mainly attributed to the soil. As you come down the Hermitage slopes the soil profile changes from hard granite rock to denser, sandier, clay rich soils. Alain Graillot has been producing wines reflecting his integrity and high standards since 1985. Born in the Northern Rhône, he left to pursue a career in business, but returned home to his dream of creating great wines. Without the opportunity of stepping into an existing family winery, Alain undertook formal studies in Burgundy while seeking the guidance and inspiration of the best of the new generation of winemakers including Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac. He now has some 15ha in Crozes Hermitage itself as well as 1ha in St-Joseph. He matures his red wines in one year old french oak barrels from Burgundy. "One of the reference points for top-flight Crozes Hermitage, as well as a small amount of St. Joseph, these wines are all aged in small oak. They represent exceptional bargains in top vintages." Robert Parker's Wine Buyer's Guide #7, 2008

Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2010 He has proved beyond doubt that it is possible to make, rich wines from the flat land near the Isère river confluence. His concentrated reds demonstrate all that is exciting about the Syrah grape - a melange of black fruit, intense aromaticity, pepper and spice complexity underpinned by crisp acidity and fine tannins. They are difficult to resist young, but patient cellaring for at least 5 years is well-rewarded. The 2010 has yet to be released, but the 2009 received the following press: "Very lively, with mouthwatering acidity driving a host of lavender, iron, and bramble notes through dense raspberry and blackberry fruit. A sanguine note adds lovely, tangy length to the finish. Should rival the 2005 for best among recent vintages. Drink now through 2017. 6,500 cases made." 92 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 2011 "Denser, with more blackberry fruit such as well as hints of licorice and cassis, the medium to full-bodied, wonderfully pure, dense 2009 Crozes Hermitage is a winner and a big-time sleeper of the vintage. This rich, full, multi-layered wine should drink well for 10-15 years. 2009 is Alain Graillot's finest vintage since 1990." 90 points, Wine Advocate, Feb 2011

St. Joseph 2010 Graillot's St. Joseph has proven to be of high quality year after year. Demand always exceeds supply. Dark ruby in colour, with aromas of ripe red and blackberry fruit, it reveals hints of eucalyptus. Enjoyable now and over the next five to six years. The 2010 has yet to be released, but the 2009 received the following press: "Captivating warm linzer torte and black tea aromas give way to ripe, mouthcoating cassis, violet and crushed plum fruit flavours. Long and silky through the finish, with fine underlying minerality. Drink now through 2017. 650 cases made." 92 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 2011 "The wonderfully floral, blueberry, raspberry and crushed rock-scented 2009 St. Joseph essentially defines the best aspects of that appellation. It has an almost Burgundian, ethereal nature, with a dense ruby/purple colour and plenty of minerality, but the attractive floral notes, crushed rock, medium body and deliciously pure, fresh flavours are superb. Moreover, while it is still very young, it should hit its stride in 2-3 years and last for 8-10." 90 points, Wine Advocate, Feb 2011

Crozes-Hermitage "La Guiraude" 2010 A special selection of the best barrel lots, each year "La Guiraude" is one of the Northern Rhône's most collectable and interesting wines. The 2010 has yet to be released, but the 2009 received the following press: "This is very tight now, with a wall of iron clad structure holding the core of blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruit in check. Notes of tar, iron and sweet tobacco lurk in the background. The long, long finish is all minerally cut. A brick-house Crozes that demands cellaring. Maybe the best vintage for this cuvée. Best from 2013 through 2020. 650 cases made." 94 points, Wine Spectator, Oct 2011 "Absolutely phenomenal, and one of the best wines he has ever made, is Graillot's top cuvée, the 2009 Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Speciale La Guiraude. Dense purple, with notes of charcoal, blackberry, cassis, licorice, earth and pepper, the wine is full-bodied, rich, very primary and unevolved, but loaded with fruit, glycerin, body buttressed by crisp acids and sweet, abundant tannin. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and drink it over the next 15 or more years." 93 points, Wine Advocate, Feb 2011 "Graillot makes one of the few great Crozes Hermitages, a wine so good many believe it to be the equal of Hermitage - at less than half the cost. This is a dark, brooding, edgy, Clint Eastwood of a wine, with flavours that wrestle each other in the glass. Spices, pepper, earth, blackberries and violets all collide in a delicious explosion. La Guiraude, a special selection of the best lots of wine, is made only in very good years. Not to worry. Graillot's regular Crozes-Hermitage is also pretty wonderful." Karen McNeil, The Wine Bible

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