Indulge your senses with a rare taste of the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990. A superb vintage from an esteemed producer, this French delight is beautifully matured in oak barrels, boasting complex aromas of ripe fruit and spices that give way to subtly earthy undertones. Hailing from the prestigious Crozes-Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone Valley, the wine features Syrah grapes that are meticulously hand-harvested.

This stimulating vintage is a testament to Alain Graillot's exceptional winemaking methodology. Founded in 1985, Graillot's winery quickly gained acclaim for producing high-quality, distinctive wines. This offering, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990, truly embodies the Graillot house style - it is robust yet approachable, with elegant tannins and fullness of flavour.

Painstakingly vinified and patiently aged, the Alain Graillot La Guiraude Crozes-Hermitage 1990 is indeed a luscious specimen, deserving a place in the finest of cellars.

Vinous (94)

Opaque ruby. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, olive, potpourri and incense, and exotic spice and mineral notes build steadily with air. Sweet, focused and penetrating on the palate, offering intense, spice-tinged boysenberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. Blends concentration and energy with a deft hand and finishes with superb, gently tannic persistence.

Vinous (94)

Opaque ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented black and blue fruit, olive and allspice aromas are energized by a suave floral overtone. Fleshy, juicy and broad in the mouth, offering concentrated black currant, cherry liqueur, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors that tighten up with aeration. Densely packed yet energetic as well, finishing with sharp delineation, steadily building tannins and excellent persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (94)

Inky ruby. Heady blackberry, cherry and olive scents show excellent definition and a smoky mineral flourish. Densely packed but energetic black and blue fruit liqueur flavors are complemented by a candied violet flourish; an exotic spice nuance emerges with air. Shows excellent concentration and no excess weight, finishing with bright mineral cut, harmonious tannins and floral-driven persistence.

Vinous (95)

Glass-staining ruby. Cassis, cherry-cola, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the highly expressive nose. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to its sweet black and blue fruit, allspice, salty olive and candied violet flavors, which take on a mineral aspect with air. Youthfully chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long and focused finish that emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I've no doubt that this wine will reward patience, and my drinking window is probably overly conservative.

Vinous (91)

Bright red-ruby. Brooding aromas of plum, gunflint, hot stones, mint, nuts, charcoal and woodsmoke. Rich, dense, silky and very ripe; a wonderfully fleshy Crozes that really spreads out to coat the palate. As round, sweet and plush as this rather massive wine is, it's still youthfully unevolved. Finishes long and aromatic, with big, tongue-dusting tannins and hints of espresso and nutty oak.

Vinous (92)

Vivid ruby. Highly aromatic cherry and red berry scents are complicated by licorice, Indian spices and cola. Deeply concentrated dark fruit flavors show a suave blend of sweet and tangy, with a mineral nuance adding lift. Gains weight and sweetness on the clinging finish, which features a cherry-cola quality and fine-grained tannins that come on late.

Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)

Not yet bottled, the 2019 Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers comes from the Varogne lieu-dit located just to the west of Hermitage. This is a cooler, more shaded vineyard of pure granite soils, and I always find an Hermitage-like character in this wine. Lots of blackberry, cassis, crushed stone, leather, and violet notes emerge from the glass, and it's rich, full-bodied, and powerful on the palate, with lots of structure yet more than enough fruit. The quality of this cuvée has soared recently and the 2019 will be another gem readers will love.

Jancis Robinson (16.5)

An appealing nose that shows vivid and expressive dark fruits. An olive-tapenade note as well as fig spice and slight bacon fat beneath. Lots of freshness here as well. Bizarrely the nose is rich and ripe and the palate is not showing as much alcohol as you would expect. Expressive. (AC)

Vinous (93)

Vivid ruby. Smoky blackberry, cherry-cola, violet pastille, licorice and mineral aromas are complemented by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Ripe, palate-coating black and blue fruit, olive paste and spicecake flavors show sharp focus, and a sweet hint of cola builds in the glass. Supple and broad on the long, spicy finish, which is framed by smooth, slowly building tannins.

Vinous (93)

Opaque magenta. Smoke-accented cherry, dark berry, fruitcake and pipe tobacco aromas are complemented by suggestions of vanilla and bacon fat. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering appealingly sweet black and blue fruit, vanilla, allspice and dark chocolate flavors and repeating smokiness. Shows fine clarity and dark fruit thrust on the long, smooth finish, which features harmonious tannins and reverberating spice and floral notes.

Vinous (92)

Saturated ruby. Intense dark berry and cherry cola scents are complemented by suggestions of olive paste, candied flowers, vanilla and woodsmoke. Offers palate-coating blackberry and bitter cherry flavors, and peppery spice and mocha qualities building on the back half. Manages to be both rich and lively, with no excess fat. The juicy, seamless finish is framed by silky, harmonious tannins and leaves behind a suave dark berry liqueur note.

Vinous (93)

Saturated magenta. Displays incisive red and dark berry scents that are complemented by suggestions of succulent flowers, baking spices and cracked pepper. Shows fine definition and mineral lift to its juicy cherry, black raspberry and spicecake flavors, which deepen slowly through the back half. Finishes long and gently chewy, with repeating spiciness and well-knit tannins.

The delightfully complex Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is a symphony of Rhône tastes by the venerable Domaine Combier. A notable producer of French wines since 1936, the vineyard resides in the esteemed Crozes-Hermitage region, known for its high-quality Syrah grapes. The allure of this resplendent red unfolds through a meticulous crafting process.

Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 is primarily crafted from Syrah grapes cultivated in the vineyard's oldest parcel. The fruit undergoes stringent hand-picking, resulting in premium quality. Masterfully matured in 30% new oak barrels for twelve months, the wine boasts an expressive character with harmonised tannins.

Imbued with ripe dark fruits and a touch of peppery spice, the taste narrative concludes with undernotes of mocha and leather for a compelling finish. Combier Crozes-Hermitage Clos Grives 2021 unequivocally delivers a refined example of regional Syrah expression. Not merely a wine, but a poetic tribute to its territory.

Indulge your palate with the exquisite 'Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2015'. Renowned producer Yves Cuilleron, known for his meticulous craftsmanship in the Northern Rhône Valley, brings you this unparalleled Syrah. Born of the estate's old vines in Chavanay, the fruit is manually harvested and only the best mature bunches are chosen. Phenolic maturity is ensured with whole-cluster fermentation at controlled temperatures, whilst 18 months ageing in oak casks builds complexity.

The resultant wine is a harmonious blend of power and elegance. Boasting seductive aromas of ripe fruit and touch of spice, its palate teases out the nuances of blackcurrants, violets and black olives. Fine-grained tannins bolster the lush flavours, finishing with resplendent minerality. Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2015 is indeed a study in balance and refinement; a testimony to the prowess of Yves Cuilleron. A must-try for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2021 is an exquisite embodiment of French red wine precision from the Northern Rhone region. Crafted meticulously by distinguished winemaker Yves Cuilleron, well-renowned for his immaculate dedication to the terroir, this wine mirrors his relentless pursuit of quality. The grapes are hand-harvested from low-yielding vines and fermented traditionally with native yeasts. The resulting wine is aged in French oak, imbuing it with its characteristic maturity and complexity.

Tasting the Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2021 reveals an expressive smorgasbord of dark fruits, balanced by a tantalising spice dimension. Its lusciously full-bodied nature is perfectly punctuated by the sleek elegance of its tannin structure, resulting in a lingering, satisfying finish. Whether for an everyday indulgence or for enhancing special occasions, the Cuilleron Crozes Hermitage Laya 2021 will unquestionably elevate your wine-drinking experience with its vibrant vitality and enchantingly subtle sophistication. Truly, a tribute to the art of winemaking.

Wine Advocate (91-94)

I tasted three components of the 2020 Crozes Hermitage Les Trois Chênes—maybe four, as Darnaud hadn't yet decided on whether the last one would be included in this cuvée or bottled separately as Au Fil du Temps. The blend should reflect a balanced blend of floral, stemmy notes, bright red cherries and notes of dark-skinned fruit and black olives. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it should drink well on release and for up to a decade. The final sample, aged in second use François Frères barrels, stood out for its suave, silky texture, smoky notes, vibrant raspberry fruit and long finish. If Darnaud bottles it separately, don't hesitate to snap it up.

Indulge in the captivating Gaylord Machon Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Ghany 2021, an embodiment of French viticulture excellence hailing from the prestigious Northern Rhône region. This exclusive fine wine originates from organically farmed, Syrah grapevine plots, carefully tended to by the revered winemaker, Gaylord Machon. Emanating an alluring bouquet of dark fruit, pepper, and subtle oak, this wine treats the connoisseur to a harmonious fusion of flavour.

The Gaylord Machon Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Ghany 2021 is meticulously crafted, undergoing traditional vinification methods in cement vats to capture the essence of its terroir. Post-fermentation, the creation is gracefully aged in oak barrels for a period of 12 months, enhancing its complexity and depth.

The resulting product is an enchanting red wine, presenting intoxicatingly robust flavours, balanced by a refreshing acidity and silky tannins. Secure a bottle of Gaylord Machon Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Ghany 2021 to appreciate the pinnacle of French winemaking skill.

The Graillot Crozes Hermitage Blanc 2022 is a fine specimen from one of Rhone Valley's most respected wine regions. Obtained from the celebrated producer, Domaine Alain Graillot, this wine echoes artisanal craftsmanship at its finest. This exquisite white wine showcases classical varietal characters of Marsanne and Roussanne grapes, grown and harvested on the coveted Crozes Hermitage appellation.

Handpicked to maintain the utmost quality, these grapes ensure a refreshing, well-structured wine, with an impeccable acidic balance achieved from ageing in oak, yielding complex stone fruit and floral notes. A distinguished embodiment of France's rich viticulturism, the Graillot Crozes Hermitage Blanc 2022 is a true gastronome's delight and an essential addition to a connoisseur's wine collection. Its graceful ageing potential only further enhances its distinct character, inviting you to take part in an enriching, timeless experience.

Vinous (93)

Bright violet. Assertive, spice-accented dark berry, floral pastille and smoky mineral scents show excellent delineation and a hint of olive paste. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering energetic boysenberry and black raspberry flavors that deepen and become sweeter with air. Shows a suave interplay of richness and energy and finishes impressively long, with smooth tannins and strong, mineral-driven tenacity.

Vinous (93)

Inky ruby. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe dark berries and candied violet show outstanding clarity and lift. At once rich and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy blackberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the back half. Shows outstanding clarity on the long, penetrating finish, which features well-judged tannins and lingering floral and spice notes.