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Indeed, all along the year, 2012 did not spare the Vignerons : even the savviest got confused, almost losing their points of references, while dealing with its tricks ! Heterogeneity in the vineyard would bear, right from the start, the mark of damage caused by winter frost. Sadly enough, very old Grenache and Syrah vines did not survive this frost. Loss of a precious heritage, impact on the yields of the upcoming harvest, Vignerons were already under pressure…
Conversely, the months of July and August were extremely hot, speeding up the maturing process, as a first step, but worsening water stress, in a second. Rarest reaction, the Vignerons came to bless the rains that fell beginning of September, as they profitably revived the phenolic ripening of the grapes. In the end, deciding the right moment to pick up grapes caused the serious Vignerons a real headache ! To the extent that the harvesting of the different cépages, in the different parcelles, followed a more than widely unusual order…
And now, for one more uncommon observation : opting for a later harvest was not necessarily the winning choice, in 2012 : the exception that
proves the rule !
Now, at this stage, as the Wines are nearing the end of the fermenting process,
they already impose their real potential : they are very, very, good… Thus, they lead us to admit that, from contrasts, Harmony can arise...
Larnage, Battis, coteaux sur Mercurol.
16°C
Decant 1 hour before tasting.
Non typical, aromatic, and mineral cuvée.
13%
BottlingWithout fining and filtration.
CépagesSyrah : 100 %
The 2012 Crozes Hermitage Vieilles Vignes comes from 50-60-year-old vines, from steep granite soils, and was aged in 20% new French oak. Medium to full-bodied, fresh and long, it offers up textbook Northern Rhone aromas of blackberry, spice and smoked meats. It should be an outstanding bottle of wine.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Advocate
, 90-92/100
, 2013-12-01
Bright purple. Expressive aromas of cassis, game and peppery spices, with a hint of vanilla gaining power with air. Supple and round on the palate, with an exotic, oak-spiced quality to its dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes with dusty tannins and very good length, leaving a smoky mineral note behind.
Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar
, 90-92/100
, 2014-04-01
Already sold out. 60-year-old vines from a relatively new supplier. Blueish purple but not that deep. Great freshness and silkiness. More intensity than many Crozes. Richer, sweeter fruit with less obvious black pepper and dryness/leanness than many. Needs time.
Jancis Robinson
, 16,5/20
, 2013-01-04