Few wines are as fitting for sweater-weather sipping as the Syrah-based reds of the Northern Rhône. For many wine lovers, the mythical hill of Hermitage rises above the rest, both in the mind and literally. But Hermitage is expensive, and many of the wines are made for long cellaring. Luckily for Syrah lovers, Crozes-Hermitage—on the same side of the river as Hermitage, with similar exposures but without the hill’s elevation—offers an approachable taste of its famous neighbor at a fraction of the price.
Crozes is a very large, low-lying appellation with a variety of soil types. Quality fluctuates widely, so it pays to seek out top names. This week’s Tasting Highlights showcases six of them with delicious bottlings well-suited for fall sipping from the solid 2023 and 2024 vintages. While the wines don’t have the power and depth of Hermitage, they display similar dark fruit flavors complemented by Syrah’s classic floral, mineral and earth accents. Don’t overlook the whites, blends of Marsanne and Roussanne, the best of which are rich, complex and intensely food-friendly.
This edition features top-scoring wines from Yann Chave, Emmanuel Darnaud, Michel Chapoutier and more. Read on to get our expert scores and full tasting notes!
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