Production

The Crozes-Hermitage appellation covers 11 villages surrounding the town of Tain-l'Hermitage and this red is always very typical of the style of Syrah made here. The grapes are harvested 75% by machine, 25% hand picked from vineyards with granitic and alluvial terroirs which helps to naturally limit yields to 45 hectolitres per hectare. They are hand selected at the Cave depending on origin, maturity and state of health - the grapes are categorised as either A, B or C, and incentives and assistance are offered to the growers to upgrade quality to A and B. Destemming followed by fermentation in vats for 8 -12 days at controlled temperature with pumping over twice a day to extract a measured amount of tannins, colour and fruit. Gentle pressing in a pneumatic press, then 30% of the wine is aged for 6-8 months in 400 litre French oak barrels. The wines are fined and undergo light filtration before bottling.

Tasting notes

Deeply coloured with ripe, dark currant fruit and tarry notes, full-bodied with a defined structure, tasty charcoal tannins and a long finish.

Food match

Charcuterie, grilled red meats, chicken roasted with herbs and garlic, pasta with tomato sauces.