Tasting Notes
Considered by many to be the benchmark for Crozes-Hermitage, the limited production La Guiraude is Graillot’s tête de cuvée—a barrel selection, made only in vintages where it is felt there are some that exhibit particularly intense and age-worthy personalities. It’s a barrel selection, so the winemaking is the same as the classic Crozes, although the chosen casks are left for a longer aging in both barrel and bottle. The Graillot’s are quick to point out that La Guiraude is not seen as necessarily a better wine than the Domaine’s Crozes, instead it is typically more powerful and can require longer cellaring.
When expertly managed, in warm years Syrah can thrive in heat and sunshine; where the quality of the terroir (not to mention the skill of the grower) truly counted.
Graillot’s flagship is packed with deep blue fruits, exotic spices, bloody minerality, anise, black olive and ironstone. The mouthfeel is slinky and supple, yet dense and strikes an exquisite balance between powerful fruit, plentiful tannins and perfectly pitched acidity. It’s a wine of quiet power: vin de Garde in the classic Graillot mould—a deep, dark, fleshy La Guiraude, with something of Cornas in the fruit spectrum. - Importer Note
There are few names as revered as Alain Graillot.
In 1985, the now legendary Graillot returned to his home in Crozes Hermitage, after working with the venerable Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac. With each passing year, his devotion to crafting his hauntingly delicious Syrah has been rewarded with an ever-growing, and highly dedicated, following around the world.
Recently, Domaine Alain Graillot was given two Etoiles (stars), making it the highest rated Crozes domaine in France's leading wine guide, Revue du Vin de France. This confirms the great work being done by Alain's sons, Maxime and Antoine, who have been in charge of the Domaine since 2008.
All of the work in the vineyards is carried out by hand, as it ever was. Gnarled, yet manicured vines reach up from a sea of smooth, rolled stones, over ancient alluvial deposits. In the winery, Maxime continues the hands-off approach with whole-cluster fermentation using natural yeasts, and no additions apart from a minimal use of sulphur.
The domaine’s status as one of the top domaines in all of France is without question and the whole lineup are must-haves for any serious Northern Rhone fan.
| Product Type | Wine Red Shiraz |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Northern Rhone |
| Sub Region | Crozes Hermitage |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |