2020 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage

Alain Graillot has proved beyond a doubt that it is possible to make rich wines from the gently sloped alluvial plain where the Isère River meets the Rhone. His concentrated reds demonstrate all that is exciting about the Syrah grape: black fruit, intense aromaticity, pepper and spice complexity underpinned by crisp acidity and fine tannins.

Graillot works organically, harvesting fruit by hand and fermenting in whole bunches. He chooses to age his wines in used barrels, one to three-years-old, purchased from Burgundy’s best estates. His Crozes-Hermitage is difficult to resist young. Despite the tannins that inevitably come from the inclusion of whole bunches in fermentation, Graillot wines are seldom hard-edged, overly tannic, or in need of extended cellaring. In fact, they are often flat-out delicious very soon after release. That being said, their track record for rewarding patient cellaring is exemplary.

Other Reviews....
Saturated magenta. Displays expressive red and dark berry, smoked meat, olive and floral qualities on the spice-accented nose. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering gently sweet cherry-cola, blackberry and baking spice flavors that show fine detail and a mineral, back-end lift. Finishes very long and subtly chewy, with repeating smokiness, harmonious tannins and strong persistence. Drink 2026-2034.
92 points
Josh Raynolds - Vinous

While the 2020 Crozes-Hermitage comes from an incredibly ripe, powerful vintage, it still comes across as classic Northern Rhône in both its aromatics and mouthfeel, which could be explained by the earlier harvesting as well as the 100% stem inclusion. Ripe blackberries, violets, ground pepper, blueberries, smoked meats, and subtle savory, earthy, foresty nuances all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a layered mouthfeel, ripe yet perfectly integrated tannins, good acidity, and a great finish. This gorgeous Crozes-Hermitage is already hard to resist yet will evolve gracefully for another 10-15 years. Give bottles a quick 30-minute decant if drinking any time soon. Drink 2023 - 2038.
92 points
Jeb Dunnuck