Crozes-Hermitage

Domaine Thalabert has some 40 hectares of mature syrah, about 50 years old, with very gradual replanting and stock replacement so as not to upset the balance. Its gentle slope makes it easy to work on and is south facing and well drained. The secret to Thalabert is very long maceration and period of extraction which gives the wine its character and density, concentration and richness. The wine is then aged in barrel for 18 months. 2007 was the first to be made under the new management of the Frey family. A good sign was that it was still very closed on the nose early on, which boded well, but it has now opened up. There is both finesse and complexity here, and a sense of very ripe fruit. Decant an hour before serving.

Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the northern Rhône. It is also and the most intensely cultivated and the best-value wine in the region. The area is dominated by the imposing hill of Hermitage and the vines of Crozes-Hermitage lie behind it. This textbook Crozes is black, sappy, full of fruit and a sheer joy. A good portion comes from Jaboulet's Domaine de Thalabert.

Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes Delas Freres 2011

Crozes-Hermitage Les Picheres Ferraton 2011

Founded by the exotically named Polydor Chapoutier in 1808 and passed from father to son ever since, Chapoutier is one of the big names in the Rhône with vines in both the north and the south. Michel Chapoutier is currently in charge and is full of ideas and enterprise with a good international perspective (he also markets wines in the Roussillon, Alsace and Australia). He introduced biodynamics and uniquely prints his labels in Braille. From a great vintage, this is a classic interpretation of Crozes. All syrah with no oak, it is flavoursome and fruity with good length.

This is an important wine for The Society and a year ago we decided to move it from the Tain Co-operative with whom we have worked for 20 years. Much has happened in the northern Rhône in the intervening years with several of the more talented growers leaving the safety of the co-op to strike out on their own. Nicolas Jaboulet, nephew of the late, much lamented Gérard Jaboulet, also went on his own and found that he could use his name to buy small parcels of wine from little estates. The Perrins, family friends of old, provided technical assistance and bottling facilities to do the rest. This is the first vintage and it is a blend of often very well known growers in Crozes-Hermitage. Brimming with dark-fruit flavours with hints of black olive and spice, characteristic of the syrah grape. The 2011 has exceptional depth of flavour.