Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Les Guiraudes 2020
Domaine Alain Graillot
Les Guiraudes is Graillot's parcel selection — a step up from the standard Crozes that shows what this appellation can achieve when the vines are old and the hand is confident. The 2020 vintage's warmth gives extra generosity, but the wine never loses its Syrah identity: earthy, peppery, and built on structure rather than sweetness. Outstanding value for Northern Rhône Syrah of this caliber.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Dark fruit — blackcurrant and black cherry — rise alongside fresh violet and a dusting of cracked pepper. Beneath the fruit, there is a savory, almost gamey note and a subtle cedar undertone from restrained oak aging.
Palate
Concentrated and medium-full, with blackcurrant and cherry delivering structured fruit against a backdrop of fine-grained tannins. A minty freshness lifts the mid-palate, while toasted oak adds warmth without weight. The texture is polished but retains the Northern Rhône's signature savory edge.
Finish
Long and focused, with cedar, dark fruit, and a persistent violet note.
- Varietal
- Syrah
- Blend
- 100% Syrah
- Vineyards
- Les Guiraudes parcel, old vines in Crozes-Hermitage
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Slow-braised duck legs with crispy skin served alongside a green olive and caper tapenade and roasted root vegetables — the duck's richness matches the wine's concentration while the tapenade's brininess highlights its savory, peppery character.
Founded by the late Alain Graillot, whose wines almost single-handedly elevated Crozes-Hermitage from afterthought to essential Northern Rhône appellation, this parcel selection is now overseen by his son Maxime, who continues his father's vision of Syrah that speaks of place over power.
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