Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 2018

La Guiraude is Alain Graillot's tête de cuvée, a barrel selection made only in years when certain casks show the intensity and structure to justify it.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation of the northern Rhône, and the Graillot holdings lie on the Terrasse des Chassis at Pont-de-l'Isère, where ancient alluvial deposits of sand, gravel and rolled river stones make up the soil. La Guiraude is drawn from the same vineyards and made in the same way as the domaine's regular Crozes; the difference is selection, with the chosen barrels given longer ageing in both wood and bottle. The Graillots are careful to say that it is not necessarily a better wine than the standard bottling, but a more powerful one that generally needs more time. It is a wine of quiet power in the classic Graillot mould, dense and supple at once, with something of Cornas in its fruit spectrum.

Worth five years and good for fifteen. Serve at 16-18°C with braised beef cheeks, roast venison or a rare steak with olives.

*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.