Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 1.5L MAGNUM 2020

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude, here in magnum, is the domaine's tête de cuvée, a barrel selection made only in years that warrant it.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation of the northern Rhône, and the Graillot family's vines lie on the Terrasse des Chassis at Pont-de-l'Isère, a plain of rolled alluvial stones south of the Hermitage hill. La Guiraude is not a separate vineyard but a selection of the casks that show the most intensity and the greatest capacity to age; the vinification matches that of the classic Crozes, but the chosen barrels are given longer in wood and longer in bottle before release. The Graillots are careful to say it is not a better wine than their standard cuvée, simply a more powerful one that asks for more cellar time. The 2020 season ran warm and dry, and Maxime Graillot picked on 3 September, about a week ahead of his neighbours.

A wine for the cellar, worth ten years or more, and the magnum format will slow it further. Decant if opening young and serve at 16-18°C with barbecued rib-eye, lamb shoulder or braised oxtail.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.