ALAIN GRAILLOT CROZES-HERMITAGE 2023

Crozes-Hermitage wraps around the hill of Hermitage in the northern Rhône, and its granite-heavy soils give Syrah a savory, mineral edge that sets it apart from southern Rhône fruit bombs — this is where Alain Graillot built his reputation starting in 1985 after training with Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac. Now run organically by sons Maxime and Antoine, the domaine harvests 30-plus-year-old Syrah vines whole cluster, fermenting on indigenous yeasts in concrete before aging in one-to-three-year-old Burgundy barrels. The 2023 delivers dark cherry, spiced plum, wild herbs, and licorice with salty minerality and a long finish.