Domaine Alain Graillot - Crozes-Hermitage 'La Guiraude' - 2019

Dark, shiny red; sweet-noted bouquet, ripe blackberry fruit, coulis in style, lingers nicely. It has an inner touch of iron, thyme, herbs. The palate is soft, continuous, stylish, bears pedigree content and tannins that fit in with silk, no effort. This is a top Crozes 2019, has come through episodes of hail and gives a Burgundian style elegance with a Rhône filling. Its early flourish will tone down, and it’s one for the mid to long term. 4.5 Stars John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drink Rhone Glass-staining ruby. Cassis, cherry-cola, olive paste, exotic spices and pungent flowers on the highly expressive nose. Shows impressive depth as well as energy to its sweet black and blue fruit, allspice, salty olive and candied violet flavors, which take on a mineral aspect with air. Youthfully chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long and focused finish that emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I've no doubt that this wine will reward patience, and my drinking window is probably overly conservative. 95 Points Josh Raynolds, vinous.com