Crozes-Hermitage Vignes Franches Lises (Domaine des) 2017

Lot presentation

Crozes-Hermitage Vignes Franches Lises (Domaine des) 2017

The wine

The Crozes-Hermitage terroir, in the Northern Rhône Valley, is one of the region’s historic vineyard areas, renowned for its Syrah-based red wines. Here, the vines grow on granitic and clay-limestone slopes, which impart tension, minerality and freshness. The grapes are hand-harvested at peak ripeness and carefully sorted. In the winery, the fruit ferments spontaneously before the wine is aged on fine lees for 12 months. The wine is bottled without filtration and with minimal sulphur.
The pale amber hue shows golden and coppery glints. The complex, elegant nose reveals delicious notes of dried fruit, apricot, light honey and dried floral tones. The palate is generous and moreish, with a fine balance between aromatic richness and mineral tension, leading into a persistent, fresh finish marked by a subtle salinity and a silky texture that reflects the terroir.

Maxime Graillot, son and proud heir of Alain Graillot, decided to start up his own domain to the south of Tain-l'Hermitage. It is renowned for its exclusive Syrah vine population, stretching over five hectares of Crozes-Hermitage and grown according to traditional and environmentally respectful methods. Yields are controlled to around 35 (even 40) hectoliters per hectare and the soil is cultivated by plough. Having been inspired by the various wine houses he has worked for abroad, Maxime Graillot is now producing excellent wines which are gaining increasing recognition. One to watch.