Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Rhone, France 2021
The Graillot family has a mere 20 hectares in Crozes-Hermitage and has become one of the most sought after producers of the area. Brothers Maxime and Antoine are producing small amounts of wines that are pure and balanced from the Syrah grape. Starting in 1985, the Graillot family have made some of the finest wines the Northern Rhone has to offer. This 100% Syrah from Crozes-Hermitage is a showstopper. Born of old vines, whole cluster fermentation, and native yeasts, the wine has a captivating concentration of fruit. Blackberries, black pepper, black olive and meaty richness make for a powerful, round, and wonderfully smooth Syrah. Young but drinking very well right now, it will reward and impress those who are able to patiently age this showstopper. A top-of-the-line wine from a top-of-the-line producer.
94 points James Suckling
A very pure and floral nose with cherries, violets and plums as well. Medium body with velvety tannins and bright acidity. Such a succulent core of redcurrants and violets with minerality and a transparent character to the focused finish. Drink or hold. (4/2023)
93 points John Gilman
The 2021 Crozes-Hermitage from Domaine Alain Graillot is a superb wine (as always). The bouquet is deep, pure and precise, wafting from the glass in a mix of cassis, black raspberries, pepper, espresso, grilled meats, dark soil tones and a generous topnote of smokiness. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with an excellent core of black fruit, fine mineral drive and grip, fine-grained tannins and a long, complex well balanced and peppery finish. First class Crozes that deserves at least a handful of years in the cellar to soften up its backend tannins a bit. This is my favorite Graillot straight Crozes since the beautiful 1989 version! 2029-2055. (9/2023)
90 points Wine Spectator
Shows appealing sanguine, meaty character, with a core of steeped plum and a firming spine of iron. Well-defined, with chalky tannins, dried herbs, lavender and toasted apple wood. Drink now through 2030. (KB) (2/2023)