2017 Crozes Hermitage Le Rouvre
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From the Chassis terraces where the Rhône once flowed. Macerated for four weeks with pumping over and aged for 12 months in demi-muids. Really rather glorious wine. Mid to dark crimson. Sweet and leathery with resolved tannins so this is a great time to enjoy this serious northern Rhône Syrah but it's still got lots of life in it. This wine has real focus and bite. (JR)
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Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Yann Chafe's 2017 Crozes Hermitage le Rouvre aged in gently used demi-muids (second and third use), acquiring a dusting of cedary pencil shavings and baking spices over its dark, plummy fruit. It's full-bodied and rich, with a degree of concentration and chewy tannins unusual for the appellation, giving it the potential to age for a decade or more.
The flagship cuvée is the 2017 Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre, which comes all from the Les Chassis region of Crozes and was brought up in once- and twice-used demi-muids. It's the finest vintage to date for this cuvée and has a pure yet concentrated and structured style to go with classy notes of black raspberries, peppery herbs, dried flowers, and hints of new leather as well some evident minerality. With medium to full-bodied richness, it's beautiful on the palate and has a seamless, beautifully balanced style that's going to evolve nicely for 10-15 years.
Inky ruby. Lively cherry and blueberry scents are complemented by suggestions of baking spices, violet and olive paste. Smooth, focused and sweet, offering spice-laced black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that tighten up slightly on the back half. A zesty mineral note appears on the clinging finish, which is framed by supple, even tannins.