Crozes-Hermitage Wines

Today, we want to offer you the wines from one of our favorite producers here at Philippe's, Alain Graillot. For the Rhone lovers, he is the benchmark for the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, the two forever associated since Alain called it home. His wines are to be found in every wine connaisseur's cellar and not only are they in high demand, they are also in relatively small supply...

Alain came to the Crozes-Hermitage appellation in 1985. He rapidly became one of the most in-demand producers in the Northern Rhone for his exuberant, robust, and complete Syrah-based wines. Alain harvests by hand and works organically, employing whole-cluster fermentation and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy. Graillot’s wines are structured, but still very appealing and approachable in their youth, and their longevity is truly remarkable… These are must-haves for any serious Northern Rhone fan.

Today, we have just been offered his new vintage, ie. 2008. We also have a tiny quantity left-over from 2007 as well. Please find tasting notes as follows:

2008 Crozes-Hermitage

Very enchanting and complex already, this is a racy Crozes which shows plenty of potential and virility today. Alain's wines are built to age and this one will require a few years to show its full class. Best from 2014 and 2020. Given 5 Stars by La Revue du Vin de France.

2007 Crozes-Hermitage

Densely packed for the vintage, with briar, tapenade, maduro tobacco, bittersweet cocoa and crushed blackberry fruit all weaving around muscular tannins. Tangy, mineral-filled finish has latent length. For the cellar. Best until 2017. Rated 91pts by The Wine Spectator.

Both wines are offered today at the incredible price of $30.00 instead of $34.99 (regular)

Also offered today are the wines from Maxime, Alain's son, under the Domaine des Lises name. Maxime began making very small quantities of Crozes-Hermitage with the 2004 vintage, and the results have been thrilling ever since. Compared to Alain’s wines, Maxime’s are similarly exuberant and expressive, yet perhaps with a bit more size and fruit power to them—possibly a result of the fact that Maxime de-stems nearly all of his grapes, whereas Alain does not de-stem.

Available in in both 2008 and 2007 vintages.

2008 Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage

A solid effort for the vintage, with a core of cherry pie and plum fruit notes framed by a judicious toast edge. Stays fresh on the finish.

2007 Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage

Fresh, with bright acidity carrying the black cherry, black tea and iron notes. The supple finish lets a floral note hang on nicely. Very stylish. Rated 90pts by The Wine Spectator.

Both Domaine des Lises wines are $27.50 a bottle instead of regular $31.99.

If interested to own some of these legends' wines, please reply ASAP as supply is very limited.