2017 Crozes Hermitage

Bottled in March 2019, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage walks a tightrope, balancing ample weight against taut acids and herbal, tea-like nuances against cranberries and raspberries. It's full-bodied but fine and elegant, maybe just a touch drying on the finish but a solid effort.

The 2017 Crozes-Hermitage is a classic Crozes that shines for its complexity as well as texture. Complex notes of ripe black fruits, olives, spring flowers, and pepper all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, bright acidity, and building tannins, all of which give the wine a firm, age-worthy feel. It's got plenty of fruit and will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade. Lovers of impeccably made, old school Northern Rhône Syrah can't go wrong with a case of this. The Graillot family continues to release traditional, age-worthy, classic wines under their family label. Northern Rhône doesn’t get any more Northern Rhône than these releases and they’ve done well in both 2017 and 2018. Readers should also check out the Equis and Domaine des Lises releases, both made by Maxime Graillot.

This domaine is on a hot streak. The 2017 Crozes Hermitage was being matured in a combination of tanks and barrels (30%) when I tasted it, and it was singing. Herbed olives and mixed berries dominate the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate adds deeper, darker notes of espresso and plum. Supple, generous and easy to enjoy yet complex, it should drink well for 6-7 years.