2015 Crozes Hermitage Calendes
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
As to the Crozes-Hermitage releases, the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Les Calendes was reductive and a touch hard to read, yet has solid fruit, full-bodied richness, impressive purity and ample tannin. Give it a few years. The only downside to these latest releases from Ferraton? They’re made in tiny quantities and there’s just not enough to go around. For readers who don’t know, this estate is managed by Michel Chapoutier, yet they have their own vineyard sources and winemaking team.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Black cherries and black olives mingle easily on the nose of the 2015 Crozes Hermitage Calendes. It's concentrated and rich for an entry-level Crozes, but it's approachable now, thanks to its plush, velvety tannins. Drink this medium to full-bodied Syrah over the next decade.
Even better than the La Matiniere cuvée, the 2015 Crozes Hermitage Les Calendes (100% Syrah, destemmed and aged in concrete) offers lots of graphite and minerality, as well as full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, present tannin and a great finish. Again, the value here is about as good as it gets. At the moment, all of the Crozes Hermitage releases share a lot of similarities, but I’m sure they’ll show more singular characters with additional time in barrel.
Bright ruby. Assertively perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry pit, licorice and woodsmoke, lifted by a spicy hint of white pepper. Sappy and expansive in the mouth, offering ripe red and dark berry and violet pastille flavors that put on weight with air. The lively, smoke-tinged, persistent finish shows resonating spiciness, sneaky tannins and a whiplash of sweet red fruit.