Structure

Bodymedium
Tanninmedium
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Oaklarge or old casks

Drinking window

Best 3 to 10 years from vintage.
vintage3 yrs10 yrs12 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

Medium-bodiedMedium tanninHigh acidityDryMedium, Peppery finish

Aroma: black cherry, pepper, smoked herbs, violet, light mineral

Palate: ripe dark fruit, pepper spice, moderate tannins, clean finish

Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes-Hermitage, widely available and biodynamically farmed. The most affordable way to access Chapoutier's Northern Rhone Syrah expertise.

What it pairs with

  • Grilled beef burger with grilled peppers
    The wine's casual fruit and pepper character is ideal with a quality burger.
  • Braised chicken thighs with olives
    Moderate Crozes and olive-braised chicken are a reliable everyday pairing.
  • Saucisson sec and Dijon mustard
    Classic French charcuterie table and accessible Northern Rhone Syrah.

How to serve Crozes-Hermitage La Petite Ruche Rouge

Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.

  1. Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
  2. Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
  3. Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
  4. Pair with. Grilled beef burger with grilled peppers, Braised chicken thighs with olives, Saucisson sec and Dijon mustard. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

La Petite Ruche is Chapoutier's widely distributed entry-level Crozes-Hermitage, the entry point of the house's Northern Rhone range. Biodynamically farmed across multiple parcels.

  1. 1990: La Petite Ruche introduced as Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes-Hermitage

Facts

Producer
M. Chapoutier · visiting guide
Grapes
Syrah (100%)
Classification
Crozes-Hermitage AOC
Oak
12 months in used French oak casks
ABV
13.0%
Price
EUR 18-28 at retail
Drinking window
3-10 from vintage
First vintage
1990
Biodynamic
Demeter Certified
Organic
ECOCERT

Frequently asked about Crozes-Hermitage La Petite Ruche Rouge

What does Crozes-Hermitage La Petite Ruche Rouge taste like?

On the nose, black cherry, pepper, smoked herbs, violet, light mineral. On the palate, ripe dark fruit, pepper spice, moderate tannins, clean finish. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a medium, peppery finish. Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes-Hermitage, widely available and biodynamically farmed. The most affordable way to access Chapoutier's Northern Rhone Syrah expertise.

When should I drink Crozes-Hermitage La Petite Ruche Rouge?

Drink 3-10 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 La Petite Ruche Rouge?

Grilled beef burger with grilled peppers is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Braised chicken thighs with olives and Saucisson sec and Dijon mustard. The wine's casual fruit and pepper character is ideal with a quality burger.

What grapes are in Crozes-Hermitage La Petite Ruche Rouge?

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

Tags

biodynamic biodynamic certified dry high acid medium body medium tannin medium term mood easygoing mood rustic occasion weeknight old world organic pairs with charcuterie pairs with red meat price trade up still red syrah value pick

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