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Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2008

by Ray Johnson | Jul 19, 2010 | Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Syrah

Alain Graillot, Crozes Hermitage 2008 This vintage features lots of black pepper and a structured palate, with long acidity and a commensurate amount of tannin. For some there will be too much of a memory of Band-Aids and the dentist office but with a plate of blood...

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2007

by Ray Johnson | Oct 21, 2009 | Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Syrah

Alain Graillot, Crozes Hermitage 2007 In the nose you sense the classic black pepper along with a meatiness and herbal character, perhaps hinting at rosemary and thyme. In the mouth this is a structured Syrah, acidic and tannic, delicious and long. Vinifie, eleve et...

Up and down the Rhone

by Ray Johnson | Aug 20, 2008 | Cotes du Rhone, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Grenache, Syrah

E. Guigal, Cotes du Rhone 2005 This wine is typically on the more polished side of Rhone blends with a hint of oak. That sense comes through again with a bit of earth and dried fruits. The blend is 55% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre and some other stuff. Eleve et...

Roaming for Rhone

by Ray Johnson | Feb 28, 2008 | California, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Santa Ynez Valley, Syrah

Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Vielles Vignes Cuvee Unique 2005 This is a solid wine, balanced in medium weight with ripe fruits and structure. The ripeness is such that there are liquer-like black fruits. The alcohol is showing a bit in this chewy wine. Sourced...

Que Syrah – This Syrah

by Ray Johnson | Oct 10, 2007 | California, Cote-Rotie, Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhône, Sonoma County

This flight features 3 Syrah from both sides of the Atlantic. Domaine des Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage 2005 Black pepper and structure in a good value Northern Rhone Syrah. Charles & Francois Tardy a Chanos-Curson 12.5% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Lewis Cellars Sonoma...

Wine Regions & Grapes

Sampling of Wineries

Acorn Allegrini Atlas Peak Balletto Blandy's Blue Wing Cafe Bodega Navarro Correas Bollinger Bonterra Burgans Cantina Terlano d'Arenberg Domaine Carneros Domaine de la Mordoree Dow's Dr. Loosen Elena Walch Famega Fonseca Foppiano Foxen Glen Ellen Innocent Bystander J. Keverson Korbel Madeira Wine Company Martin Codax Masi Merryvale Mulderbosch Navarro Vineyards Noceto Plantagenet Redwood Creek Reynoso Roederer Estate Sbragia Shed Horn Shooting Star Sonoma State Wine Business Institute St. James Trione Vietti Wildhurst William Fevre