All the way around the Hermitage, at the small high, which is Vegabet adjacent to the very Hermitage in the south, the east and north, is the great appellation, Crozes-Hermitage, whose surface is constantly increasing.
Crozes-Hermitage was founded in 1937. It was, however, limited to a single municipality, where it bore the name, due to the attractiveness it had achieved thanks to some plots of land maintained as the AOC Hermitage. But it was only in 1952 that the decree was to include the ten other surrounding municipalities. Through many years this field was mainly covered by orchards (center and south) or fallow fields (to the north). It was only after the appellation was expanded, that wine grew.
today is the Crozes-Hermitage is the largest of the northern appellations and extends over 11 communes in the Drôme department at the Rhônens the left bank, to the north, south and west of the city of Tain-l’hermitage. Produced still much fruit, and in particular apricots, but since the competition, especially from other countries has grown, more and more been converted for wine production.
the Hermitage is also where syrah, which is used for the red wines, and marsanne and roussanne for the white wines. In particular, the red Crozes-Hermitage has won in recent years because of an increase in the quality and an increased focus from a number of young winemakers.
The best Crozes-Hermitage wines come from the hilly slopes around Gervans in the north and Mercurol to the east of the Hermitage. The soil is formed in thick layer of rolled stones from different glaciations mixed with red and has shaped a relatively flat surface conditions, which are called plateaus or terraces. In the northwest you will find terroirer, where bjergsidernes surface conditions are quite steep. Towards Larnage and Crozes-Hermitage it is a rocky terrace covered with loess or white kaolinsand; the northern municipalities (Erôme, Serves and Gervans) is located on the granitjorde, which also is covered by loess.
Crozes-Hermitage wines are usually ready to be enjoyed after 2-3 years in bottle, but the best wines can store up to 10 years in good vintages. The white Crozes-Hermitage wine may, if it is well-made, be an interesting acquaintance. They have as young prominent aromas of citrus and hazelnut, and should typically be enjoyed within 3-5 years.
to put the size in perspective is produced here three times as much as in other areas in the north combined. The area’s wines are quality-wise not on a par with the other areas, but looking for, this is a good buy. And since 2015 is quite nice, you can with advantage turn to the area’s wines.
. 90
Vinspecialisten | 275 kr.
Lots of black berries in the taste with pepper, spices and vanilla. Neat and well-made wine with a nice conclusion.
90
Unknown | ca. 250 kr.
Lots of intensity in the smell. 12 months on the platter. Seasoned in the term with a nice length and depth.
. 93
Vinoble | 495 kr.
the Red berry and pepper in the aroma. Friendly, nice wine, where the fruit is razor sharp. Nice intensity and a long finish. One of the best Crozes wines from 2015.
. 91
Philipson Wine | 150 kr. offer price
Lots of red berries in the nose. Nice concentration and plenty of bærnoter, licorice and pepper in the taste. Well balanced with a light animal end.
94
Bichel | 400 kr.
Intense in flavor with red berries, licorice and pebernoter. Mineral in expression, with a nice concentration and length.
91
Domaine Brandis | 199 kr.
an Organic winery, with the emphasis of the fields in the Crozes. A clean and fruity wine with lots of red berries. Racy in expression, with a neat finish.
. 91
Thewinecompany.dk | dkk 150. offer price
From 40 year old vines and 12 months in casks, of which a smaller part is new. Full-bodied and at the same time elegant wine with black cherry, pepper and vanilla notes. Spicy end.
. 93
Bichel | 250 kr.
Concentrated, with animal notes. Black cherry, pepper, spices and vanilla in the taste. Long, spicy finish.
. 92
Erik Sørensen Wine | 200 dkk. offer price
From the fields just south of the town of Tain. Nice concentration and plenty of bærnoter. Elegant in expression, with a nice complexity in the taste. A long completion.
92
the World of Wine | 219 kr. offer price
Lots of black berries in the aroma. A concentrated beautiful wine more warm in style with spices, liquorice and pepper. Well-made with a spicy finish.
