Intense. The Northern Rhône is best known for its all-syrah reds from Côte Rôtie and Hermitage. These spiced, inky wines are precise expressions of a unique marriage of grape and land — nowhere else does syrah taste quite like this. Most bottles from Hermitage and Côte Rôtie, however, require diligent cellaring, and start north of $50 a bottle.
Which is why we’re so glad to have found the Domaine Saint Clair in Crozes-Hermitage. Denis Basset’s wines provide an opportunity to enjoy dark, peppery Northern Rhône syrah with greater frequency and lower investment. His 2014 Crozes-Hermitage “Etincelle” is a pure, juicy, classic syrah that we think will convert anyone to this region.
Fruit and Spice. Basset is a young winemaker who is passionate and very talented — the latest issue of the Guide Hachette featured two of his four wines, an impressive feat for a winemaker who started only five years ago. Basset came to winemaking through an accident with a high-voltage wire that nearly cut short his life. Upon leaving the hospital, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of making wine from his family’s vineyards. Lucky for us.
Basset’s 2014 Crozes-Hermitage is dark and dense, but not the slightest bit heavy. At 13%, it’s chewy and mouthfilling, but doesn’t wear out your palate. The profile is classic Northern Rhône syrah: savory black fruit, black pepper and bacon in the nose, with clove and violets in the mouth.
This is dark but vibrant and lively, a versatile and excellent match for food. Our choice might be something with lamb and mediterranean spices, like Daniel Boulud’s leg of lamb.
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SAINT CLAIR Crozes-Hermitage 2014
Ansonia Retail: $26
case, half-case: $22/bot
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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS
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or call Tom: (617) 249-3657
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