Crozes-Hermitage

Overview

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the northern Rhone, surrounding the hill of Hermitage. It produces both red (Syrah) and white (Marsanne, Roussanne) wines. The appellation encompasses diverse terroirs including the prized northern sector sites of Larnage (known for its white clay and red-fruited character), Gervans, and the Les Chassis area in the south (known for racy black fruits). Domaine de Thalabert (Paul Jaboulet Aine’s 45-hectare holding) is one of the benchmark estates.

Key Producers

• Domaine Alain Graillot — the flagship Crozes domaine
• Paul Jaboulet Aine — Domaine de Thalabert (45 ha, organic since 2009)
• Domaine Marc Sorrel — outstanding white from 1945 vines
• Jean-Baptiste Souillard — four reds from northern sector sites

Grape Varieties

• Syrah — reds
• Marsanne — whites (dominant)
• Roussanne — whites (blending partner)

Style Notes

Crozes-Hermitage reds tend to be more approachable than Hermitage, often drinkable young with lovely fruit, though top cuvees (La Guiraude, Thalabert, Les Baties) can age 15-20 years. The northern sector (Larnage, Gervans) produces wines with more finesse and red fruit character, while the southern Les Chassis area tends to racy black fruits. White Crozes from old vines can be exceptional — Sorrel’s white from 1945 vines is STGT.

JLL Vintage Summaries (drinkRhone.com)

• 2024: Good quality, some exceptional cuvees despite small bunches and mildew challenges. Maxime Graillot calls it “a serious vintage” with the phenolic ripeness of 2023 and power from low yields (~37 hl/ha). Whites are a particular success — “a great year” with higher yields bringing fluid, expressive wines. See 2024 Rhone Vintage.
• 2023: Solid balance, degrees around 12.5-13%. Similar character to 2024 in balance. See 2023 Rhone Vintage.
• 2022: Concentrated from very low yields (around half of normal in some areas). Firmly structured wines. See 2022 Rhone Vintage.
• 2021: Philippe Guigal: “too diluted; too many vinification accidents. Higher rain, high yields, very large grapes.” Chomel: “very average; resembles wines made 20-25 years ago.” But Faugier (Hauts Chassis): “if you harvested inside that window, you weren’t wrecked. Not Grands Vins. We need vintages like 2021.” Whites had more acidity than recent years. See 2021 Rhone Vintage.
• 2020: More variable than other Northern appellations. High degrees prevalent, but in good hands successful. Rousset (Erome): “combines good life and gourmandise, more so than 2019, accessible when young but will keep.” Whites: “balance, open fruit.” See 2020 Rhone Vintage.

My Tastings

Sources

• sources/articles/JLL/Alain_Graillot.txt
• sources/articles/JLL/Marc_Sorrel.txt
• sources/articles/JLL/Paul_Jaboulet_Aine.txt
• sources/articles/JLL/Jean-Baptiste_Souillard.txt
• sources/articles/JLL/rhone_vintage_reports.json — JLL vintage reports 2020-2024