Louis Barruol ‘Tiercerolles’ Crozes-Hermitage 2021

Louis Barruol ‘Tiercerolles’ Crozes-Hermitage 2021

• 30-50-year-old vines planted in granite soils
• Maceration lasts 2 or 3 weeks
• Fermentation takes place in cement tank
• Wines are aged on average for 15 months in barrel
• No new barrels - barrels are 1 or 2 years old
• Grapes are not de-stemmed
• A blend of top Crozes sites: lieu-dit Besset, lieu-dit Batits, lieu-dit Habrard, and finally lieu-dit Mercurol

Wines from the fabled hill of Hermitage undoubtedly represent the pinnacle of Syrah worldwide. However, these bottles are extremely limited in quantity, and they tend to be priced accordingly. Enter Crozes Hermitage: akin to an extension of Hermitage on the left bank of the Rhône, Crozes produces wines that are capable of hinting at Syrah greatness at bargain cost. That being said, quality varies tremendously here, as the appellation features both stony slopes ideal for producing wines of character and richer soils on flatter land—not nearly as noble a terroir. Louis Barruol has intimate knowledge of the northern Rhône’s vineyards, so he sources this Crozes from granite hillside plots that yield deep, chewy reds with concentrated aromas of smoke, black fruit, and graphite. Vinified traditionally (with stems) and aged in barrels without filtration, this is real-deal Syrah that demonstrates the strong personality—and value—to be found in Crozes.