Alain Graillot

Crozes-Hermitage Syrah

9.11042 ratings
9.1348 pro ratings
Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
Syrah
Lamb
Top Notes For
Jay Kline

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2020 Alain Graillot pours a deep ruby with a hit of violet. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. Some slight signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is moderate intensity. Fresh black bramble fruit, baked/smoked blueberries, dry oil cured black olives, black pepper, lavender potpourri, dried herb encrusted saucisson, stony minerals and subtle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is so long with a streak of minerals. The body is medium but the fruit is so grippy and clings to the palate giving the impression that it’s bigger than it is. Maxime said that they had picked way early compared to previous, recent years and completed harvest by September 3rd; a whole week before their neighbors began harvest. It shows. Remarkably fresh. Lovely. Utterly beautiful. Drink now with patience (and to enjoy the full-send freshness) or enjoy over the next 15+ years. Alain’s legacy seems to be in very good hands.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2020 Alain Graillot pours a deep ruby with a hit of violet. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. Some slight signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is moderate intensity. Fresh black bramble fruit, baked/smoked blueberries, dry oil cured black olives, black pepper, lavender potpourri, dried herb encrusted saucisson, stony minerals and subtle baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry; medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is so long with a streak of minerals. The body is medium but the fruit is so grippy and clings to the palate giving the impression that it’s bigger than it is. Maxime said that they had picked way early compared to previous, recent years and completed harvest by September 3rd; a whole week before their neighbors began harvest. It shows. Remarkably fresh. Lovely. Utterly beautiful. Drink now with patience (and to enjoy the full-send freshness) or enjoy over the next 15+ years. Alain’s legacy seems to be in very good hands.

Oct 11th, 2023
Eric Grasser

Deep plum and red fruit, sweet baking spices, black olives, grilled meat, herbs crushed rock and chalk. Still high in acid, perhaps a tad too much as it affects the personality.

Deep plum and red fruit, sweet baking spices, black olives, grilled meat, herbs crushed rock and chalk. Still high in acid, perhaps a tad too much as it affects the personality.

Aug 6th, 2023
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2012 | dark colour, beautiful wine. Tasted this blind next to a Spätburgunder from the Ahr and a rightbank Bordeaux, thought it would blow the other wines away… but it did not. Perhaps a tad too old?

Vintage 2012 | dark colour, beautiful wine. Tasted this blind next to a Spätburgunder from the Ahr and a rightbank Bordeaux, thought it would blow the other wines away… but it did not. Perhaps a tad too old?

Mar 29th, 2023
Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.4

Jesus the 13 is on fire rn. Intense purple olive and cracked black pepper.

Jesus the 13 is on fire rn. Intense purple olive and cracked black pepper.

Dec 20th, 2022
Sipping Fine Wine

100% Syrah, Medium Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and herb pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with some vegetal spice. Lively acidity with medium tannins, medium+ finish ending with a fruit and mineral character. Drinking well.

100% Syrah, Medium Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and herb pepper spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with some vegetal spice. Lively acidity with medium tannins, medium+ finish ending with a fruit and mineral character. Drinking well.

Feb 15th, 2022
Paul Masson

Black fruit, sweet spice, campfire and a touch of Brett. Polished texture with nice tannic tension

Black fruit, sweet spice, campfire and a touch of Brett. Polished texture with nice tannic tension

Jan 31st, 2022
John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.3

Cleaner than 2017. Higher acid as well. Day 2, amazing!

Cleaner than 2017. Higher acid as well. Day 2, amazing!

Jan 26th, 2022
Bob McDonald

See 2 previous Delectable notes. Barely medium weight. A gamey note on the nose. A dried prune note but not capturing the fuller fruit from the Rhone in 2016. Light tannins with some astringency. Rhone guru, John Livingstone-Learmonth has ranked 2016 amongst the top 3 vintages he has encountered since he began reviewing the region in the early 1970s. This wine for the vintage and the producer was disappointing. One of the 1001 wines.

See 2 previous Delectable notes. Barely medium weight. A gamey note on the nose. A dried prune note but not capturing the fuller fruit from the Rhone in 2016. Light tannins with some astringency. Rhone guru, John Livingstone-Learmonth has ranked 2016 amongst the top 3 vintages he has encountered since he began reviewing the region in the early 1970s. This wine for the vintage and the producer was disappointing. One of the 1001 wines.

Jan 19th, 2022
Andrew Holod

National Sales Grapes of Spain

8.6

Still lively and could likely need more time. Slightly reduced aromas of game, iron, balsamic herbs. High acid, which always throws me for a loop when tasted blind (this wasn't). Pretty good with Turkey gumbo, mostly save by the smoky, garlic spiked beef/pork sausage.

Still lively and could likely need more time. Slightly reduced aromas of game, iron, balsamic herbs. High acid, which always throws me for a loop when tasted blind (this wasn't). Pretty good with Turkey gumbo, mostly save by the smoky, garlic spiked beef/pork sausage.

Dec 3rd, 2021
John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

A bit bretty and good.

A bit bretty and good.

Sep 12th, 2021