Sigh, back to using scores on CellarTracker, as I’ve been told by others that “no one reads CT reviews that don’t carry scores.” That can’t be right. Right?
1989 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude- France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage (1/6/2010)
Note for note a beautiful Syrah, easily detectable even when poured blind as it was. But we guessed a generic Northern Rhone, 15 years old, and the truth is that Crozes’ reputation suffers enough that we wouldn’t have pegged it. And yet here it was, beautiful and softly defiant despite the largely shedded tannins. Layer of olive, layer of black truffle, layer of soft red fruit, hanging nicely. Rather straightforward and a touch short, but fascinating nonetheless. (91 pts.)
Nice note!
Love Alain Graillot’s Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude the 1990 has been one of my all time
favorite Crozes.
It just edges out the also great Paul Jaboulet Aine Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Thalbert 1990
This wine was part of the first case I ever bought to cellar when I was working in a wine shop during college. I served with dinner in the mid-nineties for my grandparents. I made a full dinner for them and it was just the three of us, no parents, no brothers, no relatives. They loved the wine and the food (they weren’t big wine folks) and it was a lovely evening. I was very proud to be able to serve them a bottle I had bought and cellared myself with a “gourmet” I meal I had cooked them myself.
They’re both gone now and it is one of the fondest memories I have of time we spent together.
For that reason alone, this is one of the best wines I’ve ever had in my life, although by any measure it is an excellent wine.
Thanks for reminding me, even if it does make me a bit misty.