The Kings of Northern Rhône Syrah are back in our cellars! Jean-Paul Jamet for Côte-Rôtie, Auguste Clape for Cornas, and Alain Graillot for Crozes-Hermitage have all been instrumental in moving the Northern Rhône from subsistence farming towards becoming one of the greatest wine regions in the world. In many ways, all three pioneers and their families define their appellations.
The 2019 vintage was ‘classic Côte-Rôtie’ according to Jean-Paul and his son, Loic Jamet. This 98-pointer can be yours in a super-pack with their white wine, Vernillon from Condrieu. It will make you rethink what you know about Viognier.
'Savvy consumers know not to overlook the excellent white wines here, which include a (Jamet) Côtes du Rhône and a Condrieu.' – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Lithe and focused, Clape’s Le Vin des Amis 2020 is as it sounds – an irresistible charmer to be shared among good friends, boasting floral aromatics and wild dark fruit. The quality-to-price ratio is exceptional. Clape’s 2019 Cornas Renaissance has all the hallmarks of the Grand Vin, showing olive notes, black cherries, spice and a long-lingering, mineral finish, with ageing potential up to 2040!
Alain Graillot’s Crozes-Hermitage is one of the most dependable Syrahs in the world and a wine to grab with both hands. The 2020 vintage is crafted in their signature style of 100% whole-cluster fermentation following three pickings. It’s perfumed and vibrant and exemplifies Maxime Graillot’s pursuit of freshness and elegance. ‘Our chance here is to be the cradle for less-ripe Syrah. What I want is kind of crunchy, not jammy,’ explains Maxime.
