Alain Graillot Saint Joseph Rouge 2019 (Northern Rhone, France) - [VM 92-94]

Alain Graillot Saint Joseph Rouge 2019
(Northern Rhone, France) - [VM 92-94]


$55.00 $49.97 Save $5.03
/
VM92
Size

About the Winery:
Northern Rhone's legendary Alain Graillot, the man who put Crozes-Hermitage on the fine wine map, founded his domaine in Crozes-Hermitage in 1985, and rapidly became one of the most in-demand producers in the Northern Rhone for his exuberant, robust, and complete Syrah-based wines. Alain owns about 50 acres of over 30-year-old Crozes-Hermitage vines on the flat alluvial plain between the Rhône and Isère rivers, in well-draining soils of sand, gravel, and stones. He also has two tiny parcels in St. Joseph, from which he makes a slightly fresher, more early-drinking wine than the remarkable Crozes-Hermitage that constitutes the majority of his production. There's also a small quantity of Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, made from 35+-year-old vines, 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne. Alain turned over duties to his son Maxim in 2008, who continues to harvest by hand and work organically, employing whole-cluster fermentation and aging the wines primarily in 1-to-3 year old barrels purchased from some of the top estates in Burgundy.

About the Wine:
The vineyard for Alain Graillot Saint-Joseph is one hectare and a half divided into two locations, one in St-Jean-de-Muzols and one on the Andance hills. They are found on hard granite slopes and the plants are young - between 12 and 15 years old.

Alain Graillot Saint-Joseph is vinified by destemming the bunches and cold macerating for a period of 2 to 5 days. It then ferments at a controlled temperature in cement vats and macerates with the skins for about 15 to 21 days. Once produced, it is aged for one year in new and used barrels and the wine is gently filtered before bottling.

Ratings & Reviews

92-94 Points - Vinous Media:
"Expressive cherry, black currant and floral aromas, along with hints of smoky bacon, licorice and black pepper. Nicely concentrated and energetic on the palate, offering lively, mineral-driven black/blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that stretch out and become sweeter with air. Closes very long, sappy and precise, showing fine delineation and spicy bite on the youthfully tannic, floral-tinged finish. Made with 100% whole clusters." - Josh Raynolds (May 2020)