# Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage (2015)

- **Producer:** Domaine Alain Graillot
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Rhône, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, violet, black pepper, game, leather, tobacco

## About this wine

Domaine Alain Graillot is a legendary producer in the Northern Rhône, founded in 1985 by Alain Graillot, who sadly passed away in 2022. His sons, Maxime and Antoine, now expertly manage the domaine, upholding their father's philosophy of crafting appealing, sensibly-priced wines that truly express their terroir. The domaine is highly respected, with their wines frequently featured in many of France's most prestigious restaurants. The 2015 vintage is particularly distinctive, hailed as an "old-school beauty that just screams northern Rhône Syrah." It's a muscular wine showcasing a riper fruit profile, beautifully complemented by savoury meatiness and perfumed complexity. The 2015 vintage in the Northern Rhône was exceptional, characterized by a warm growing season that yielded wines of phenomenal power and balance. Rhône authority John Livingstone-Learmonth even described it as a vintage "to match the best years of the 20th Century in the Northern Rhône."

## Interesting facts

- Alain Graillot, who founded the domaine in 1985, is considered a legendary figure in the Northern Rhône.
- The 2015 vintage in the Northern Rhône is described as exceptional, matching the best of the 20th century.
- The domaine practices organic farming and utilizes whole bunch fermentation for added complexity.
- Domaine Alain Graillot wines are featured in many of France's top restaurants, a testament to their quality.

## Food pairing

This Crozes-Hermitage Syrah, with its medium to full body, ripe tannins, and savoury, meaty notes, is perfectly suited for rich, flavourful dishes. The wine's structure and intensity can stand up to robust proteins like lamb, beef, and game. Its inherent peppery and perfumed characteristics complement herbs and spices often used in such preparations, while its crisp acidity helps to cut through the richness of the food, creating a balanced and harmonious pairing.

## Wine making process

The Domaine Alain Graillot is committed to organic farming practices, cultivating old vines that contribute to the depth and character of their wines. The winemaking approach is distinctly "old-school," prioritizing savouriness and fragrance over overt oak influence or sweetness. A key element of their vinification process is whole bunch fermentation, a technique that adds complexity, structure, and a distinctive aromatic profile to the Syrah grapes.