Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 1.5L MAGNUM 2023

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude is a barrel selection from the estate’s best casks, made only in the years that produce wines with the depth to justify it.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation of the northern Rhône, wrapping around the hill of Hermitage itself, and its heartland for red wine is the flat Les Chassis terrace south of Tain, where round alluvial stones sit over clay. Alain Graillot established the domaine there in 1985 and set a template that many have followed since: whole-bunch fermentation, restrained extraction, and ageing in older oak so that the Syrah rather than the barrel does the talking. La Guiraude is the tête de cuvée, a selection of casks from the same vinification as the classic Crozes, given longer in barrel and in bottle before release. The family are careful to describe it not as a better wine than the standard bottling but as a different one: more powerful, spicier and cut for longer cellaring. Only a small quantity was bottled in magnum.

Already open enough to enjoy, though another decade will suit it, and the magnum will take longer again. Serve at 16-18°C with peppered steak, braised beef cheeks or grilled lamb cutlets.

*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.