2012 Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude
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Tasting notes
Deep cherry red. Gleaming. Herbal and peppery – inviting and lively. Just a touch reductive (struck match) but none the worse for that. On the palate, again slightly herbal but also deep and firm. Still young but not in the least tough. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Dark greyish crimson. Terrific peppery Syrah aroma. Lightly and attractively reductive (smoky). Superbly fine, dry texture that leaves your mouth feeling clean. Dark fruit and just a touch of vanilla (oak?) sweetness on the mid palate but mostly fine dark peppery fruit. Long and refined. A tiniest hint of leafy freshness at the very end. (JH)
Also outstanding, the 2012 Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude is a smaller production cuvee and is a selection of the top barrels. It’s more showy and open than the classical cuvee at the moment, but it doesn’t seem any more concentrated or rich, and I’m not sure it’s any better. Showing plenty of sweet fruit, toasted spice and licorice, it’s medium to full-bodied, polished and creamily textured on the palate. Enjoy this beauty over the coming 7-8 years.
Opaque ruby. Sexy, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices. Juicy, sappy and densely packed, offering intense red and dark berry liqueur and floral pastille flavors enlivened by zesty acidity. Vibrant, appealingly sweet Crozes with excellent focus, harmonious tannins and strong finishing cut.