Maison les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage 2018

Crozes-Hermitage, the largest wine region of the Northern Rhône in France, like a neglected sibling, is frequently overlooked as wines of neighbouring regions of Cornas, St. Joseph, and especially the exalted Hermitage, are lauded for their virtues. Whereas those wines are praised for their ‘sophistication’, ‘elegance’, and ‘refinement’, Crozes-Hermitage is often described with the less sexy words ‘good-value’.

All of these regions have earned their acclaim by crafting (red) wines from the classic and noble variety: Syrah. Admired for their concentration, Northern Rhône Syrah are typically dark, bold wines with signature notes of black pepper. Some will argue that despite the grape’s success in vineyards around the world (where it is often called Shiraz), the finest Syrahs still hail from the vineyards of their homeland on the steep slopes of the Rhône River.

When searching for a quintessential French Syrah, don’t assume a ‘good-value’ Crozes-Hermitage won’t also deliver the qualities of a fine Syrah. This example from Maison les Alexandrins, the child of three of the biggest names in the Northern Rhône wine world including Nicolas Jaboulet, Guillaume Sorrel and Alexandre Caso, is a brilliant interpretation. In the glass it’s a pretty colour of deep purple. Its nose is voluptuous and complex; its palate boasts flavours of red fruit along with notes of violets and candied cherries.