2013 Crozes Hermitage Les Varonniers
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Deep-pitched aromas of black currant, violet, incense and woodsmoke show a minerally topnote and a hint of olive in the background. Sweet, smoky and seamless on the palate, offering juicy black and blue fruit flavors and a sexy floral pastille flourish that gains strength as the wine opens up. Finishes very long, with excellent clarity and supple, slow-building tannins that lend shape.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
The 2013 Crozes Hermitage les Varonniers is brilliant. Coming from the western edge of Hermitage’s Bessards lieu-dit (this is a cool, west-facing parcel of granite soils), its deep ruby/purple color is followed by classic granite-induced aromas and flavors of burning embers, cassis, licorice, spring flower and pepper. This Mini-Hermitage is medium-bodied, nicely concentrated and has building tannic grip; it will drink well for 10-15 years.
Dark purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes vibrant black and blue fruits, incense, potpourri and star anise. Stains the palate with intense blueberry and cherry compote flavors that are given spine and lift by a smoky mineral quality. Densely packed yet lithe, finishing with outstanding thrust and breadth and smooth tannins that build slowly.
3.2 ha, 100% Syrah. Varonniers’ name comes from the plot, known as ‘Varogne’ historically and officially recognised as a lieu-dit. Les Varonniers wine comes from the oldest Crozes-Hermitage vines (more than 60 years old). The granitic slopes have a south-east exposure at the end of the Hermitage hill and on fluvial terraces (former bed of the Rhône river) on the Chassis plot. The soil is more similar to the one on the Hermitage hill than the flat terroir of the surrounding Crozes. Same soil as Bessards/Pavillon but more erosion so less body. Just a few hundred metres difference. The wine follows the same vinification and maturation as its cousins in Hermitage. Sweet, almost fat. Glossy. Seems much more concentrated than most St-Joseph. Very drying on the end. Quite severe. (JR)