Wine Reviews

Crafted from vines planted on clay, schist and sandy soils, the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Roure is brooding and introverted, marked by notes of oak complemented by dark berries and spices. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and structured, it’s built around a firm core of fruit with a noticeable imprint of élevage, leading to a somewhat firm finish. From this cooler terroir of Roure, it will benefit from one to two years in the cellar to fully open.

Revealing a fresh, dark bouquet of menthol, dark berries, licorice, gentian and spices. Moderately weighted and lively, it’s filled with energy, though the oaky frame lends a touch of austerity.

A cool and very bright wine with the kind of mountain freshness the syrah grape is capable of in the Northern Rhone. Smoky and fragrant, with notes of verbena, rosemary, thyme and wildflowers.

Darker purple-hued, the 2024 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Roure is a rich, more structured Crozes Hermitage offering blackberries, fresh plums, smoky oak, and graphite, as well as a classy sense of minerality. It’s medium-bodied, has plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and the concentrated, firm, old school style that some 2024s show in a good sense. This is clearly outstanding and will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age before hitting its stride. Drink 2028-2038.

From a granitic site north of Hermitage planted in 1945, the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine De Roure was aged 12 months in 20% new French oak barrels. Red and black fruits, leafy herbs, pepper, and violet notes all shine here, and it’s medium-bodied, with a supple, layered mouthfeel, fine polished tannins, and outstanding length. I love its overall balance, and while it’s not massively concentrated, this beauty will age gracefully for two decades if well stored. Drink 2026-2043.