Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 2019

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude is the estate's tête de cuvée, a barrel selection made only in vintages judged capable of it.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation of the northern Rhône, and Alain Graillot's arrival in the 1980s did much to prove what its better sites could do with Syrah. La Guiraude is the domaine's selection cuvée, chosen from barrels that show particular intensity and ageing potential, so the winemaking is identical to the classic Crozes; the difference is that these casks are given longer in barrel and in bottle before release. The family are careful to say it is not necessarily a better wine than the standard bottling, simply a more powerful one that usually asks for more time. To capture freshness and precision in this vintage, Maxime Graillot picked a little earlier than the year before, aiming, in his words, for something crunchy rather than jammy. The wine sits at 13.5 per cent alcohol.

Best from about five years and good for fifteen; serve at 16–18°C with roast beef, peppered venison or grilled mushrooms.

*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.