Laurent Fayolle
Clos les Cornirets Crozes-Hermitage Syrah
Crozes-Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
We’re loving this beautiful Laurent Fayolle Syrah from “Clos Les Cornirets,” one of only 3 monopoles in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation of the northern Rhône Valley, France.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC sits on the eastern side (left bank) of the Rhône River, wrapping around the town of Tain L’Hermitage and the famous hill of Hermitage.
Clos Les Cornirets is a small, steep, and terraced site exposed to cooling and drying influences of the Mistral wind. It’s situated on the northern (back) side of Hermitage hill above classic, stony, granitic soils. These conditions, coupled with the 70+ year old vines, create an ideal struggle for the vine, leading to smaller, more concentrated fruit with a strong spine of acidity that brings balance to the final wine.
Laurent Fayolle is the 6th generation to run this family-owned and -operated winery, farming organically, and producing both red and white wines, including several Crozes-Hermitage “crus.” He takes a lower intervention approach in the winery fermenting with wild yeast, using mostly neutral barrels, and no fining or filtering.
As for this particular wine, it’s deep ruby in color with medium (+) aromas and flavors of ripe, fresh black cherry, red and black plum, mulberry, violet, star anise, black licorice, fennel seed, clove, leather, meat, pepper, nutmeg, graphite, tobacco, crushed stone.
It’s dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, high alcohol (15% ABV) that is balanced by the intensity of aromas and flavors. The tannins are medium (+), smooth and well-integrated. It has a long, elegant finish.
Cheers to family heirlooms that are meticulously cared for and shared with the world one vintage at a time!
We’re loving this beautiful Laurent Fayolle Syrah from “Clos Les Cornirets,” one of only 3 monopoles in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation of the northern Rhône Valley, France.
Crozes-Hermitage AOC sits on the eastern side (left bank) of the Rhône River, wrapping around the town of Tain L’Hermitage and the famous hill of Hermitage.
Clos Les Cornirets is a small, steep, and terraced site exposed to cooling and drying influences of the Mistral wind. It’s situated on the northern (back) side of Hermitage hill above classic, stony, granitic soils. These conditions, coupled with the 70+ year old vines, create an ideal struggle for the vine, leading to smaller, more concentrated fruit with a strong spine of acidity that brings balance to the final wine.
Laurent Fayolle is the 6th generation to run this family-owned and -operated winery, farming organically, and producing both red and white wines, including several Crozes-Hermitage “crus.” He takes a lower intervention approach in the winery fermenting with wild yeast, using mostly neutral barrels, and no fining or filtering.
As for this particular wine, it’s deep ruby in color with medium (+) aromas and flavors of ripe, fresh black cherry, red and black plum, mulberry, violet, star anise, black licorice, fennel seed, clove, leather, meat, pepper, nutmeg, graphite, tobacco, crushed stone.
It’s dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, high alcohol (15% ABV) that is balanced by the intensity of aromas and flavors. The tannins are medium (+), smooth and well-integrated. It has a long, elegant finish.
Cheers to family heirlooms that are meticulously cared for and shared with the world one vintage at a time!
