Structure

Bodyfull
Tanninfirm
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaknew oak

Drinking window

Best 6 to 18 years from vintage.
vintage6 yrs18 yrs20 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Full-bodiedFirm tanninHigh acidityDryLong, Peppery And Mineral finish

Aroma: black cherry, blackcurrant, smoked olive, pepper, granite mineral

Palate: concentrated dark fruit, iron mineral, structured tannins, spiced finish, long

Chapoutier's single-vineyard Les Varonniers Crozes, from old Syrah on the granite terraces directly below the Hermitage hill. Approaches Hermitage in quality at a fraction of the price.

What it pairs with

  • Rack of lamb with herbes de Provence
    The wine's spice and dark fruit align with herb-crusted lamb.
  • Grilled beef entrecote
    Iron mineral and black fruit pair with charred, marbled beef.
  • Duck breast with cherry glaze
    Black cherry in the wine harmonises with the duck cherry glaze.

How to serve Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Rack of lamb with herbes de Provence, Grilled beef entrecote, Duck breast with cherry glaze. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

Les Varonniers is Chapoutier's prestige Crozes-Hermitage, from a single parcel of old Syrah vines on the granite terraces closest to the Hermitage hill in Larnage.

  1. 1990: First vintage of Les Varonniers from the granite terraces above Larnage

Facts

Producer
M. Chapoutier · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
Oak
18 months in new French oak barriques
ABV
13.5%
Price
EUR 55-80 at retail
Drinking window
6-18 from vintage
First vintage
1990
Biodynamic
Demeter Certified
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers

What does Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, blackcurrant, smoked olive, pepper, granite mineral. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, iron mineral, structured tannins, spiced finish, long. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long, peppery and mineral finish. Chapoutier's single-vineyard Les Varonniers Crozes, from old Syrah on the granite terraces directly below the Hermitage hill. Approaches Hermitage in quality at a fraction of the price.

When should I drink Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers?

Drink 6-18 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.

What food pairs with Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers?

Rack of lamb with herbes de Provence is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled beef entrecote and Duck breast with cherry glaze. The wine's spice and dark fruit align with herb-crusted lamb.

What grapes are in Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers?

The blend is Syrah (100%). The wine is classified as Crozes-Hermitage AOC.

Tags

biodynamic biodynamic certified cellar worthy dry firm tannin full body high acid mood rustic mood savoury occasion cellar occasion dinner party old vines old world organic pairs with game pairs with red meat price premium single vineyard still red syrah value pick

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