France — wine

Crozes-Hermitage

The northern Rhône's largest AOC surrounding the famous Hermitage hill, producing Syrah reds and Marsanne/Roussanne whites from diverse soils including granite, clay, and alluvial terraces. Crozes-Hermitage offers the northern Rhône character at far more accessible prices than Hermitage or Côte Rôtie — the best domaines produce wines that rival the northern Rhône's finest at a fraction of the cost. Key producers work in the granitic Les Chassis and Larnage sub-zones.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Outstanding Crozes-Hermitage vintage; granite Larnage Syrah of extraordinary pepper and mineral intensity; Marsanne of excellent texture.
2021 Classic northern Rhône vintage; Syrah showed excellent aromatic precision and the characteristic olive and pepper character.
2020 Benchmark year; Graillot La Guiraude and Yann Chave Mon Coeur produced internationally acclaimed wines.
2019 Greatest Crozes-Hermitage vintage of the modern era; Syrah of extraordinary depth from all quality producers.
2018 Excellent vintage; warm conditions produced Syrah of unusual richness; Marsanne whites of exceptional honeyed complexity.