2019 Crozes-Hermitage Sicamor
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Tasting notes
Opaque ruby. Spice-accented aromas of blackcurrant, cherry liqueur, mocha and olive paste, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Sappy and expansive on the palate, offering juicy black and blue fruit, bitter chocolate and cracked pepper flavors and a building floral nuance. Chewy tannins give shape to the persistent finish, which leaves behind sappy dark fruit and spice notes.
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Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
NB vintage! 100% Syrah. 100% biodynamic, blend of two plots. Six months in concrete after ageing in demi-muids. 'Sicamor' is old-fashioned French for the ring around the barrel. Deep purple. Restrained, needs more time. Dark berry fruits, lovely length and depth here. Black-olive and pepper notes. Decidedly classy for Crozes. (AWH)
The 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Sicamor is deeply hued and is sourced from three different sites, mostly granite terroirs, but some comes from the Chassis region as well, which is deeper, loamy soils. Medium to full-bodied, with lots of black raspberry, peppery spice, and floral notes, it has a terrific sense of minerality, ripe tannins, and while a ripe, textured wine, it stays nicely balanced and light on its feet.
The cedar, vanilla and wood spice-scented 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Sicamor backs those notes with copious black cherries and blackberries. A blend of three different terroirs (granite, puddingstone and argille-galets), it's full-bodied, concentrated and richly tannic, with a long, velvety finish. Purists will say it's oaky and a bit generic, but quibbles aside, it's a tasty glass of wine for drinking over the rest of this decade.