2009 Crozes Hermitage

The elegant 2009 Crozes-Hermitage (1,000 cases produced) reveals notes of incense, licorice, fruitcake, earth, red and black cherries, tar and pepper. It should drink well for 3-4 years. This relatively new negociant operation combines two of the great families of the Rhone Valley, the Perrins in Chateauneuf du Pape and the Jaboulets in the northern Rhone. In this case, it is Nicolas Jaboulet working with the Perrins. Their objective is to produce high quality selections from major northern appellations. Launching a new brand in a difficult economic environment is always risky, but given the resources available to these two families, this should be a brand worth following. Their first releases were from challenging vintages such as 2006 and 2007, and they appear to be hitting their stride with the 2009s and 2010s. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802