2010 Crozes Hermitage Le Grand Courtil

The single vineyard reds include the fabulous 2010 Crozes-Ermitage Le Grand Courtil (200 cases produced). Notes of gun flint, pen ink, lead pencil shavings, roast beef and bouquet garni are found in this dense purple-colored, full-bodied Crozes. Drink it over the next 10 years. The quality of Ferraton’s wines has been increasing with nearly every new vintage thanks to the efforts of Michel Chapoutier and his number one assistant, P.H. Morel, who has the responsibilities for these wines. I have included a few Southern Rhones that were not reviewed in Issue #203. Some of the 2011 white wines are in bottle, but the more serious cuvees are still in barrel. Ferraton produced four lieu-dit offerings in 2011, which I tasted with Michel Chapoutier and Pierre-Henri Morel. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994