2018 Crozes Hermitage
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Tasting notes
The base Crozes-Hermitage is always a good value and the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine is up with the best in the vintage. Classy black raspberry and cassis fruits as well as notes of bouquet garni and earthy flowers emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. With loads of fruit, remarkable purity, and just a classic Northern Rhône style, buy a case of this beauty for enjoying over the coming 8-10 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Lurid violet. High-pitched red and blue fruit, floral and spice aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a hint of licorice with air. Palate-coating cherry, black raspberry and boysenberry flavors slowly firm up on the back half. Closes on a subtle tannic note, showing real dark-fruit-driven intensity and a resonating floral note. I can't recall ever having a better "basic" Crozes from Chave than this one. By the way, the 2017 version of this wine, which I re-tasted in early April, in New York, is drinking wonderfully right now if your taste runs to youthful Syrah. All stainless steel.
65% Marsanne, 35% Roussanne. Tasted blind. Simple, light citrus. Medium body with enough acidity to cleanse the finish. Fairly neutral in style overall. (RH)
Vivid magenta color. Mineral-accented cherry, dark berry preserve scents are complicated by hints of cracked pepper, violet and licorice. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering gently sweet blackberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that tighten up quickly with air. A subtle floral pastille note comes up on the persistent, spice-tinged finish, which shows very good clarity and gentle, well-knit tannins. (all stainless steel)