2007 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Roure
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
More lush, elegant and evolved is the fully mature 2007 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Roure. This is a fresh, easygoing, rich wine offering aromas of herbs and spice. It should drink nicely for 4-5 years. It did not take long for Caroline Frey to whip this somewhat rudderless (following the death of Gerard Jaboulet in the late 1990s) estate into shape. The first few years were transitionary ones, but in 2009 she was aided by what is an exceptional vintage in the Northern Rhone as well as low yields at Jaboulet (20 hectoliters per hectare at Les Bessards and 25 hectoliters per hectare at Le Meal). The result is the greatest vintage at Jaboulet since 1990. Moreover, it is clear they have moved away from a large negociant operation to estate-bottled domaine wines, which all of the following represent. If you have been off the Jaboulet bandwagon over the last decade or so, now is the time to jump back on for both whites and reds. They still own just under 300 acres spread throughout the Rhone Valley, with their biggest holdings 52 acres in Hermitage and 112+ acres at their Domaine de Thalabert in Crozes-Hermitage. As I have indicated before, the Frey family has instituted a strict selection process in order to cull out the finest lots for their flagship wine - Hermitage La Chapelle. Production used to be 8,000-10,000 cases, but for the 2009 Hermitage La Chapelle, which will be the greatest La Chapelle since 1990 and 1978, there are only 2,000 cases. The white wines have jumped considerably in quality. Most are now put through 100% malolactic. Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Inky ruby. Intensely floral bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, smoky minerals, violet oil and licorice. Brighter on the palate, displaying sweet black raspberry and kirsch flavors and a late note of bitter chocolate. More powerful than the Thalabert but also finer, finishing with impressive clarity and minerality.
Deep glowing ruby. Fine and racy. Good life here but relatively light and lively for a 2007. A teensy bit timid. (JR)
Glass-staining ruby. Powerful dark berry and kirsch aromas are complicated by sandalwood, cured meat, woodsmoke, sassafras and licorice. More powerful than the 2006, with a deeper, more decadent personality. Also fresher on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and candied violet qualities. Fine-grained tannins give the wine solidity and smoky minerals add lift to the sweet finish. This will be very interesting to follow into bottle.