Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2018

Domaine des Lises Crozes-Hermitage Rouge is Maxime Graillot's estate-grown Syrah from a single gravel vineyard in the south of the appellation.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest of the northern Rhône appellations, spreading north and south of the Hermitage hill; its southern sector around Beaumont-Monteux is flat, alluvial country of gravel and rolled stones. Maxime Graillot's parcel sits here, a couple of kilometres from his father Alain's vines, on fast-draining soils low in clay that tend to give a refined, aromatic and savoury style of Syrah. The vines were planted through the 1980s and are farmed organically, with certification pending. Fermentation is entirely natural and uses only a small proportion of whole bunches, usually 20 to 30 per cent, which makes the wine more approachable young than the fully whole-bunch cuvées bottled under the Alain Graillot name. It is fermented in concrete, aged 11 months in used Burgundy barrels with a small new-oak component, assembled for three months in a large truncated cask and bottled unfiltered.

Approachable now and good for six to eight years, it suits grilled lamb, charcuterie and roast vegetables; serve at 16–18°C.

*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.