Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Papillon à Léonie et Lucie 2022

Description

The Robin family have grown grapes in Crozes-Hermitage for four generations, the first vineyard a 1.27 ha plot acquired by Gilles’ great-grandfather Louis Pasquion in 1920. But until 1995 the production was substantially sold to the local cooperative in Tain l’Hermitage. When Gilles took over from his father Michel in 1996 however, he set the estate on a new course, bottling his first wines under the Gilles Robin label. More than 25 vintages later he is widely regarded as one of the top producers of the region.

In 1996 the estate was just 10 ha and nearly all in Crozes-Hermitage. Today, it has expanded to 22 ha and includes prime holdings in Hermitage, Cornas, St-Joseph and St-Peray, as well as the original vineyards in Crozes. The average age of vines across the estate is now more than 40 years, and this combined with meticulous work in the vineyards brings great concentration and complexity to the finished wines. In 2012 Gilles began working with organic viticulture and today the estate is certified organic.

In the winery, extractions are gentle and slow, often 30 days or more and maturation is in a mix of barriques and demi-muids (< 20% new) for 12 – 24 months. From 2019 onwards the reds have been vinified with 100 % whole bunches. There has also been a notable move towards ageing in larger 500+ 600 litre demi-muids in recent year with very few smaller 228 litre barrels in use. So the wines show less oak as a result and greater fruit purity helped by the whole bunch fermentations since 2019 vintage.

About this wine:  100% Syrah from vines planted in 1996, 100% de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. An early drinking style driven by perfumed black raspberry fruit with anise and spice notes lingering long on the fresh and vibrant finish. A medium bodied Syrah showing the generosity and typicity of the rich red soils it originates from. Fresh vibrant and gives great pleasure all year round with very fine tannins and a vibrant medium body making this very easy to drink and appreciate.

“Brilliant magenta. Spice-accented red and dark berries and fresh flowers on the incisive nose. Offers gently sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors show fine clarity and pick up a succulent herb nuance with aeration. Displays spicy lift and cut on the gently tannic, persistent finish, which features resonating red fruit and spice notes. Drink 2024-2030.’ 91 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2022 for 2020 vintage.

RRP $65  Our Special Price $38.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine