2019 Syrah 'Cuvee Alberic Bouvet' (Crozes-Hermitage)

The Robin family have grown grapes in Crozes-Hermitage for generations, but until 1995 they were always sold to the local cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage. Today, Gilles estate bottles his entire production and consistently produces some of the very best wines of this appellation. Gilles has just 15 hectares, however most of those vineyards are fully mature at more than 40 years old.

The estate has several plots of land in the favoured ‘Les Chassis’ district just south of the Hermitage hill. The soils in this area consist of large amounts of smooth pudding stones ‘galets’ and red clay from the route the Rhône river once flowed. These richer clay based soils give a wine that is typically rounder and more generous than from some other areas of the appellation

2016 Crozes-Hermitage “cuvee Alberic Bouvet”
Produced from vines in 3 sites averaging more than 40 years old located on the best red clay soils close to the Hermitage hill. “Youthful purple. Pungent, mineral-accented dark berry, floral and incense scents on the highly fragrant nose. Shows very good depth as well as energy in the mouth, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry flavors that become spicier as the wine opens up. Finishes with excellent clarity and dark fruit punch, featuring harmonious tannins and lingering floral and salty olive notes.” 91 points. Vinous, Josh Raynolds, September 2019