This was absolutely singing! Such a nice surprise after the disappointing 2008. Lots of fruit left but the spice and olives are there in force. continued to open up over 2 hours. Wish I had more of these.
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Although the acid is more pronounced, this is not much different than four years ago. Crazy but definitely the best vintage I've had from Graillot to date.
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Dark bloody red in color. First Graillot I tried where the acidity is completely balanced. You can tell the vintange gave a hand here. Along with the dark berry notes, there's bacon, game, and spice. I also get some nicoise olives. It is silky smooth on the palate with a bit of peppery spiciness. Well defining structure. Tannins are quite smooth. For the first time, this reminds me o high end Australian Shiraz. It does bring back memories of the Grange. Finish is medium plus. Best bottle I've had from Alain Graillot. Really enjoyed it.
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young colour, fine grained rich syrah nose, plenty of ripe fruit on nose. Ripe rich fruit on pate still tannic but balanced. A lovely crozes. Simple but satisfying.
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Behaglig och mogen doft av körsbär, chark, bacon, tapenade på svarta oliver, lakrits och början till mognadstoner. Fin syra och bra balans med hyfsat lång eftersmak.
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Very similar to bottle I had about a year ago, just more integrated. Forward nose of dark cherry, black olive, bacon and hide. The last two more notable now.. Intense cherry fruit on the palate and some wood complexity. Good acidity and overall balance. Drinks well now and still has a long way to go. Good finish.
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Very dark inky red, no brick on the rim. Forward nose of dark cherry, black olive, bacon and hide. Very typical syrah nose. Intense cherry fruit on the palate and some wood complexity. Good acidity and overall balance. Drinks well now but will go another 5 to 10 years easy. Good finish.
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Fruity aromas with meaty notes. A fairly sweet attack, blackcurrants, softish tannins, good balance, dry raisiny finish, an excellent accompaniment to a very good steak and chips.
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Steely black fruit with a herby background aroma. Juicy, sweet, baked black fruit, very soft tannins, smooth with a long finish. This wine is now mature and needs drinking within the next couple of years.
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Intense ripe flavors of cherry cola and "cough medicine" with tannin and acid structure. New world in its style perhaps from the hot year. A quality wine but almost over the top in intensity and so not one of higher ratings
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Very different from the last few bottles. Tons of Eucalyptus and sweet red fruits with a cola and cherry cough syrup note. A touch of licorice and sweetness on the end of the nose. Those guessing blind all went new world and I can see why. This was atypical of Crozes-Hermitage, but 2003 was atypical... A decent bottle in its own right, but a touch over-the-top and hot on the palate. Not the most balanced of beasts. Very good, but underachieving.
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Very intense dark red, almost purple. Bacon, dark fruit and black olives nose. Enough acidity to carry the fruit, but not as much as this wine had in the mid-90s.Very nice mid week drink.
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Last bottle. Almost black colour, nose of herbs, blueberries and junioer. Still fine fruit. lots of everything and noticable alcohol in the finish, although not in a bad way. Atypical but good for what it is.
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Very good wine, with the fruit and intensity you'd expect from the vintage, but still with tons of acidity and typicity (black olives, bacon fat, burnt/roasted leaves & black pepper). Especially on day two the fruit was showing a little more focused (raspberry, blackberry).
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Wow - this is very much not my style. I am usually one of Alain biggest fans, but this is way too sweet and unbalanced. The nose is OK, with notes of olives and licorice. The taste is both very sweet (6.2 g/litre) and still very acidic. The pair with veal steak was a disaster. Worked much better with chesse and chocolate. Very high in alcohol > 15%. For Aussiefans.
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Wild aromas of boisenberry and blood. The palate is mostly red fruited, with raspberry ganache, garrigue, iron laden minerality, and licorice. The finish has firm tannins and very crisp acidity. This is a primary wine that is remarkably high acid for the vintage.
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this wine continues to evolve nicely. A lot of the baby fat and fruit has mellowed, and now the acidity and fine tannins show. Good understated fruit but with good structure. Needs some air to develop, but showing its stuff. Gooooooood stuff.
on second day this has deepened considerably. showing mint, rosemary, deep fruit and a lot more structure than night one. less sweet than a year ago, and very nice, dry red wine.
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Drinking very well now - don't save this one, enjoy it at it's best now. He is a great producer and even with 2003 he has delivered again. Thick, deep ruby colour. On the nose, cooked blackberries with a hint of licorice. Smooth and delicious. Open about 6-7 hours before drinking. Went well with lamb and rosemary with Easter lunch.
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At The Square: Monstrously tannic, but thick, rich and enough fruit for this to be enjoyable now; olives and blackcurrants, deep, fruity but not lush - left a very heavy deposit
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This bottle was closed down to the point where I wondered whether it was corked or not. Another bottle was identical however, and with 6+ hours of air it opened up a bit. Previous bottles have been absolutely delicous and ready to pop'n'pour. The colour is deep purple with a foamy lilac crema. On the nose there is dark berries, licorice, réglisse, pepper, some rubber, a hint of vanilla, tar, maybe some tapenade and a whiff of smoke. More vinous, not as much in-your-face generous as before. The tannins and acidity were definitely more prominent than before. While not bad - in fact quite a delicous C-H with 6 hours of aeration - definitely not as enjoyable as before to my palate. Probably entering the tunnel, hope it will emerge in its past glory + complexity. Considering how much I love young syrah - I wonder why I bother to age thes, and I wish I had drunk more while in its youth. I guess it's time to wait a couple of years before popping a new one.
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This one was pop and pour - and what a glorious drink it is. Knock-out nose of the usual suspepcts; licorice, aniseed, blackberries, blueberries, black olives, spices, some raw meat, even some vanilla. Nice and full on the palate and long, but very refreshing with good acidity and no flabbiness whatsoever. The last bottle I had in May was a bit more closed but it has never been truly shut down - will it ever? NB: this bottle was throwing lots of sediment.
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Fabulous QPR. Purchased a half case last year and continue to love this wine. Incredible depth and mothfeel, with wonderful red fruit (strawberry, currant) along with tingling structure and tannins. I look forward to watching this wine evolve over time, and continue to pick up bottles at less than 30 per. Wondeful vintage and product.
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This bottle was much tighter than the last I had. Still a wonderful drink and it opened up nicely after 2-3 hours in the decanter. I'll wait a year before I pop another one.
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Poured from bottle and quite tight, nose of blackberries and some mild liquorice. Seems to have some white pepper this time with also a little spice but not overpowering. This is really good and great value.
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Blueblack. Wonderful fresh nose of blueberries, liquorice, pepper and herbs. Medium bodied, not too tannic, fruity, rounded taste. Quite long aftertaste of herbs and spice. This is not your typical Crozes-Hermitage and the wine is still a bit "unglued", not fully balanced but hopefully will be after a few more years.
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Poured a glass straight away and the rest in the decanter. Whoah, this is some juice. Deep dark blackish purple with a ruby rim, inky and viscuous clinging to the inside of the glass when swirling. Big lovely Northern Rhône nose with cassis, brambles, aniseed and licorice, a whiff of charcuteries and bacon fat. I can smell this all day. Medium to full bodied with lots and lots of fruit, spices, some chocolate, nice concentration. Rather tannic but absolutely delicious, lovely with the grilled entrecôte. This should probably be in quite a dumb phase right now? but is drinking beautifully, even directly from bottle. Opened up during the evening. Will most likely gain a couple of points over the years. The best Crozes-Hermitage I've ever had. At approx $22 I'm going to get more than my original half case.
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Black purple colour. Initial bright nosed of blackberries which closed quite quickly. A big wine but super smooth and balance, hints of blackberry and forest/earth? Lovely.
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EOTC $15-30 Blind Syrah Tasting (Yuichi & Megan's): Bottle "L". Dark purple, hint of red. Thick. Yummy smell, purple. Thick, jammy, delicious. A touch of both white and black pepper. Raspberries. Very nice indeed.
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4/4/2024 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent notes. This does not taste its age at all.
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10/21/2023 - akspres Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was absolutely singing! Such a nice surprise after the disappointing 2008. Lots of fruit left but the spice and olives are there in force. continued to open up over 2 hours. Wish I had more of these.
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3/17/2021 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 92 Points
Although the acid is more pronounced, this is not much different than four years ago. Crazy but definitely the best vintage I've had from Graillot to date.
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2/26/2017 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark bloody red in color. First Graillot I tried where the acidity is completely balanced. You can tell the vintange gave a hand here. Along with the dark berry notes, there's bacon, game, and spice. I also get some nicoise olives. It is silky smooth on the palate with a bit of peppery spiciness. Well defining structure. Tannins are quite smooth. For the first time, this reminds me o high end Australian Shiraz. It does bring back memories of the Grange. Finish is medium plus. Best bottle I've had from Alain Graillot. Really enjoyed it.
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10/21/2014 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 89 Points
Meaty and spicy with soft tannins and nice finish. Drinking wonderfully now from magnum. Certainly shows the benefits of being in the cellar.
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2/14/2014 - EMichels wrote: 91 Points
Great depth of nose; Big; Great depth
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3/15/2013 - redders Likes this wine: 89 Points
young colour, fine grained rich syrah nose, plenty of ripe fruit on nose. Ripe rich fruit on pate still tannic but balanced. A lovely crozes. Simple but satisfying.
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3/2/2013 - FamilyLarsson wrote: 89 Points
Behaglig och mogen doft av körsbär, chark, bacon, tapenade på svarta oliver, lakrits och början till mognadstoner. Fin syra och bra balans med hyfsat lång eftersmak.
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6/1/2011 - Milos wrote: 91 Points
Very similar to bottle I had about a year ago, just more integrated. Forward nose of dark cherry, black olive, bacon and hide. The last two more notable now.. Intense cherry fruit on the palate and some wood complexity. Good acidity and overall balance. Drinks well now and still has a long way to go. Good finish.
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4/27/2011 - JOsgood wrote:
Showing some age already. Earthy with notes of black olives on the palate.
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8/15/2010 - PhDP wrote:
Beaucoup plus Graillot que 2003. Et c'est un beau compliment.
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7/11/2010 - Milos wrote: 90 Points
Very dark inky red, no brick on the rim. Forward nose of dark cherry, black olive, bacon and hide. Very typical syrah nose. Intense cherry fruit on the palate and some wood complexity. Good acidity and overall balance. Drinks well now but will go another 5 to 10 years easy. Good finish.
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5/23/2010 - tendring Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fruity aromas with meaty notes.
A fairly sweet attack, blackcurrants, softish tannins, good balance, dry raisiny finish, an excellent accompaniment to a very good steak and chips.
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5/19/2010 - tendring Likes this wine: 88 Points
Steely black fruit with a herby background aroma.
Juicy, sweet, baked black fruit, very soft tannins, smooth with a long finish. This wine is now mature and needs drinking within the next couple of years.
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3/29/2010 - CTSV157 wrote: 87 Points
Intense ripe flavors of cherry cola and "cough medicine" with tannin and acid structure.
New world in its style perhaps from the hot year. A quality wine but almost over the top in intensity and so not one of higher ratings
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3/28/2010 - gblacave wrote: 86 Points
Very different from the last few bottles. Tons of Eucalyptus and sweet red fruits with a cola and cherry cough syrup note. A touch of licorice and sweetness on the end of the nose. Those guessing blind all went new world and I can see why. This was atypical of Crozes-Hermitage, but 2003 was atypical... A decent bottle in its own right, but a touch over-the-top and hot on the palate. Not the most balanced of beasts. Very good, but underachieving.
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1/4/2010 - Milos wrote: 90 Points
Very intense dark red, almost purple. Bacon, dark fruit and black olives nose. Enough acidity to carry the fruit, but not as much as this wine had in the mid-90s.Very nice mid week drink.
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8/16/2009 - gukarl wrote: 89 Points
Last bottle. Almost black colour, nose of herbs, blueberries and junioer. Still fine fruit. lots of everything and noticable alcohol in the finish, although not in a bad way. Atypical but good for what it is.
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8/10/2009 - Employee500 wrote: 91 Points
Very good wine, with the fruit and intensity you'd expect from the vintage, but still with tons of acidity and typicity (black olives, bacon fat, burnt/roasted leaves & black pepper). Especially on day two the fruit was showing a little more focused (raspberry, blackberry).
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3/8/2009 - brogie62 wrote:
From the hot 2003 summer. Overly ripe and hot on the palate.
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2/27/2009 - Barbalax wrote: 82 Points
Wow - this is very much not my style. I am usually one of Alain biggest fans, but this is way too sweet and unbalanced. The nose is OK, with notes of olives and licorice. The taste is both very sweet (6.2 g/litre) and still very acidic. The pair with veal steak was a disaster. Worked much better with chesse and chocolate. Very high in alcohol > 15%. For Aussiefans.
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2/3/2009 - henrychinaski wrote: 87 Points
Too ripe for my tastes. Time will tell if some of the offensive jamminess fades...
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12/4/2008 - rmodak wrote: 91 Points
Wild aromas of boisenberry and blood. The palate is mostly red fruited, with raspberry ganache, garrigue, iron laden minerality, and licorice. The finish has firm tannins and very crisp acidity. This is a primary wine that is remarkably high acid for the vintage.
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5/9/2008 - jwolfsthal wrote:
this wine continues to evolve nicely. A lot of the baby fat and fruit has mellowed, and now the acidity and fine tannins show. Good understated fruit but with good structure. Needs some air to develop, but showing its stuff. Gooooooood stuff.
on second day this has deepened considerably. showing mint, rosemary, deep fruit and a lot more structure than night one. less sweet than a year ago, and very nice, dry red wine.
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3/26/2008 - globetrottingwebbs wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very well now - don't save this one, enjoy it at it's best now. He is a great producer and even with 2003 he has delivered again. Thick, deep ruby colour. On the nose, cooked blackberries with a hint of licorice. Smooth and delicious. Open about 6-7 hours before drinking. Went well with lamb and rosemary with Easter lunch.
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10/27/2007 - PhDP wrote:
Très bon, mais dans un style plus "2003" que "Graillot".
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10/11/2007 - Rupert wrote: 89 Points
At The Square: Monstrously tannic, but thick, rich and enough fruit for this to be enjoyable now; olives and blackcurrants, deep, fruity but not lush - left a very heavy deposit
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5/25/2007 - Northern wrote:
This bottle was closed down to the point where I wondered whether it was corked or not. Another bottle was identical however, and with 6+ hours of air it opened up a bit. Previous bottles have been absolutely delicous and ready to pop'n'pour.
The colour is deep purple with a foamy lilac crema. On the nose there is dark berries, licorice, réglisse, pepper, some rubber, a hint of vanilla, tar, maybe some tapenade and a whiff of smoke. More vinous, not as much in-your-face generous as before. The tannins and acidity were definitely more prominent than before. While not bad - in fact quite a delicous C-H with 6 hours of aeration - definitely not as enjoyable as before to my palate. Probably entering the tunnel, hope it will emerge in its past glory + complexity. Considering how much I love young syrah - I wonder why I bother to age thes, and I wish I had drunk more while in its youth. I guess it's time to wait a couple of years before popping a new one.
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12/30/2006 - Northern wrote: 92 Points
This one was pop and pour - and what a glorious drink it is. Knock-out nose of the usual suspepcts; licorice, aniseed, blackberries, blueberries, black olives, spices, some raw meat, even some vanilla. Nice and full on the palate and long, but very refreshing with good acidity and no flabbiness whatsoever. The last bottle I had in May was a bit more closed but it has never been truly shut down - will it ever? NB: this bottle was throwing lots of sediment.
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7/8/2006 - jwolfsthal wrote: 92 Points
Fabulous QPR. Purchased a half case last year and continue to love this wine. Incredible depth and mothfeel, with wonderful red fruit (strawberry, currant) along with tingling structure and tannins. I look forward to watching this wine evolve over time, and continue to pick up bottles at less than 30 per. Wondeful vintage and product.
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6/1/2006 - 1800kidney wrote: 92 Points
Luscious and jammy, plenty of fruit..bit hot reflecting the vintage but definite a terrific value
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5/19/2006 - Northern wrote: 91 Points
This bottle was much tighter than the last I had. Still a wonderful drink and it opened up nicely after 2-3 hours in the decanter. I'll wait a year before I pop another one.
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1/18/2006 - Wrighty wrote: 92 Points
Poured from bottle and quite tight, nose of blackberries and some mild liquorice. Seems to have some white pepper this time with also a little spice but not overpowering. This is really good and great value.
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1/17/2006 - magnord wrote: 89 Points
Blueblack. Wonderful fresh nose of blueberries, liquorice, pepper and herbs. Medium bodied, not too tannic, fruity, rounded taste. Quite long aftertaste of herbs and spice. This is not your typical Crozes-Hermitage and the wine is still a bit "unglued", not fully balanced but hopefully will be after a few more years.
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1/2/2006 - Northern wrote: 91 Points
Poured a glass straight away and the rest in the decanter. Whoah, this is some juice. Deep dark blackish purple with a ruby rim, inky and viscuous clinging to the inside of the glass when swirling. Big lovely Northern Rhône nose with cassis, brambles, aniseed and licorice, a whiff of charcuteries and bacon fat. I can smell this all day. Medium to full bodied with lots and lots of fruit, spices, some chocolate, nice concentration. Rather tannic but absolutely delicious, lovely with the grilled entrecôte.
This should probably be in quite a dumb phase right now? but is drinking beautifully, even directly from bottle. Opened up during the evening. Will most likely gain a couple of points over the years. The best Crozes-Hermitage I've ever had. At approx $22 I'm going to get more than my original half case.
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12/5/2005 - Wrighty wrote: 93 Points
Black purple colour. Initial bright nosed of blackberries which closed quite quickly. A big wine but super smooth and balance, hints of blackberry and forest/earth? Lovely.
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10/28/2005 - trankin wrote: 93 Points
EOTC $15-30 Blind Syrah Tasting (Yuichi & Megan's): Bottle "L". Dark purple, hint of red. Thick. Yummy smell, purple. Thick, jammy, delicious. A touch of both white and black pepper. Raspberries. Very nice indeed.
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