ALAIN GRAILLOT CROZES-HERMITAGE 2022

Maxime and Antoine Graillot continue their late father Alain's legacy at this practicing organic domaine in Crozes-Hermitage, where 30-plus-year-old Syrah vines in Les Chênes Verts are hand-harvested and fermented 100% whole cluster on indigenous yeasts in concrete before aging in one-to-three-year-old Burgundy barrels—the same approach Alain established after his apprenticeship with Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac in 1985. The 2022 delivers dark cherry, fresh plum, forest floor, and warm spices with dense, velvety texture, fine tannins, a kick of peppercorn, and a juicy, vivid finish.