Crozes-Hermitage Syrah

Monthly WTF wine group meet up. This month is new world vs old world Rhône’s. All wines tasted blind. 3 flights.

I pulled this out as a bonus bottle as I wanted to compare it against the other C-H. This was significantly darker in profile. Violets, underripe blackberry, charcoal, and a streak of iron down the middle. Chewy tannins.

lightly volatile but tasty

Beautiful smoky meat aromas with black and red fruit, pepper, and black olive all contained in a beautiful violet-colored package.

Always so good

QPR

Well structured with high acid and fine tannins. It took a bit of time to soften. Incredible amount of sediment given its age. Just such a great value and delicious wine.

Magnum. Was great. Meaty spice, dark fruits, earth and pepper once it opened a bit. Christmas dinner wine with prime rib.

Reference point Syrah for me and although at the riper end of the Graillot scale still brimming with purity and complexity - 2016

Riper than 15’

'14, '15, '16. All had the Same Graillot earthy dark berry base palette. The '14 was meaty on top of that. '15 savory and spices. And the '16 had more up front fruit and acidity... almost deviating in style but in a good way. A revisit in 5 years is a must.