In the glass
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.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 1990 — First vintage of Les Varonniers from the granite terraces above Larnage
Facts
- Producer
- M. Chapoutier
- 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.