Maxime Graillot Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Maxime Graillot Equinoxe Crozes-Hermitage 2010

  06:54    Stu.

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A joy to drink and drink you must - one for now, not the cellar.  Proof that good Northern Rhone can be had at a reasonable price.  Needs a good decant first - just to air it out shake off a little reductive note.

On the nose a delightful mix of briary fruits and white pepper; a savoury and smoky mix too.  Smooth and medium bodied - a mere 13% stated alcohol - with that mix of fruit coming to the fore.  Seems effortless to drink.

The finish: a spicy, peppery and fruit driven cocktail flowing to a moderate length.  Enjoy.  90 - Good

Source: Retail, The Wine Emporium

Price: $36

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Screwcap

Website: http://rhone.vignobles.free.fr/pagesgb/graillot.htm

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Jean-Luc Colombo Les Gravières 2008 Crozes-Hermitage

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Gravières 2008 Crozes-Hermitage

  13:06    Stu.

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UK scribe Jamie Goode has produced an excellent series of blog posts on the Northern Rhone, it was post #4 that brought this wine to my attention.

Jean-Luc Colombo apparently has a reputation for aversion to change in the wines he makes in Cornas, yet he's a somewhat different beast in Crozes-Hermitage, introducing innovative methods in the 40 year old vineyards this wine comes from and throughout the production process. 

Somewhat fruitier in style than I was expecting, black cherry and blackcurrant offered up with background supporting elements of tapenade and plum.  The medium bodied palate quickly makes way for generous amounts of spice.  Moderate tannins carry the spice further, defining the finish.

All up a bright, attractive medium bodied wine.  The finish, quite memorable.  That said I preferred the Yann Chave recently written up here to this.  The price differential on that wine enabling some extra work in the winery to bring the quality up further. 

Source: Retail, Waitrose (UK Supermarket)

Price: $13.99

Alcohol: 13%

Closure: Cork

Website: http://www.vinscolombo.fr/uk/

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Yann Chave "Le Rouvre" Crozes-Hermitage 2009

Yann Chave "Le Rouvre" Crozes-Hermitage 2009

  19:52    Stu.

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From a tiny single-vineyard, 'Le Rouvre' is from Domaine Yann Chave, whose parents started out in Croze-Hermitage in 1970 with 1 hectare planted.  Roll forward to 1996, when Yann finishes his military duties and takes the family business in a more quality oriented direction, come 2007 the family has some 20 hectares under vine.

The first thing you notice about this wine is the vivid colour, it could stain the glass, it will certainly stain your teeth. Dark fruit, florals, cola and black pepper leap out of the glass.  The palate: incredibly smooth, silken - barrel ageing adding detail to the wine; medium bodied. There's a touch of black earth, lovely rich spice, raspy tannin that coats the mouth and works with the spice to provide an exemplary finish. 

Those based in Australia and keen to try this wine can obtain it through the Prince Wine Store ($60).  When I saw this wine in the UK, the name was familiar, and on returning home I realised I had tasted the 2007 (not written up) at the Plumm Wine Glass tasting where I had the pleasure of the Vincent Paris Le Geynale Cornas (also available at the Prince Wine Store). 

Source: Retail, Cambridge Wine Merchants

Price: 18.47 GBP

Alcohol: 13.5%

Closure: Cork

Website: http://www.yannchave.com/

Follow me: http://twitter.com/TheVinsomniac

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