Crozes-Hermitage 2019: Report and top scoring wines
Matt Walls discovered a number of excellent Crozes-Hermitage wines among the samples tasted for the 2019 vintage report, alongside some that had high alcohol and overripe flavours, with white styles the surprise of the vintage.
The first hailstorm arrived on 15th June, ravaging the southern part of the appellation.
Scroll down to see Matt’s top Crozes-Hermitage 2019 tasting notes and scores
Chapoutier and Yann Chave both lost 50% of their crops, and others, such as Gilles Robin, lost closer to 85%. The second storm hit on 5th July; it wasn’t so severe, but affected areas that were spared by the first. The remaining bunches were further concentrated by the hot, dry weather.
The best wines are from the northern part of the appellation which gives a naturally slimmer, more restrained style of wine, some of which are excellent.
Many however have high alcohols and overripe flavours, often compounded by tough tannins from overextraction. White Crozes was the surprise of the vintage; consistently fresh and fruity, occasionally a little overweight but generally very good indeed.
Quick links Northern Rhone report
Individual appellation analysis and top-scoring wines: coming soon
Key producers in 2018
Domaine Aléofane
Domaine Esprit
Domaine Laurent Fayolle
Domaine Laurent Habrard
Domaine Marc Sorrel
M. Chapoutier
Value picks
Domaine Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage rouge ‘Papillon’ 2019
Domaine Melody Crozes-Hermitage rouge ‘Friandise’ 2019
Domaine Pradelle ‘Les Hirondelles’ Crozes-Hermitage rouge 2019
Domaine Aléofane Crozes-Hermitage blanc 2019
Domaine Laurent Fayolle Crozes-Hermitage blanc ‘Sens’ 2019
The 21 wines listed below scored 90 points and above.
See Matt’s top Crozes-Hermitage 2019 tasting notes and scores
See also
Rhône 2019 En Primeur: Full report plus top scoring winesNorthern Rhône 2019 report plus top scoring winesSouthern Rhône 2019 report plus top scoring wines
M Chapoutier, Les Varonniers, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Really intense, fragrant vintage. Great freshness and clarity of aroma, deeply violet scented and gently smoky. Tannins aren't quite as elegant as the best Hermitage...
2019
M ChapoutierCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Aléofane, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Dried citrus skins on the nose and palate, chewy mandarin and gentle orange oil bitterness. Lots of flavour, ample length, this is fresh and well...
2019
Domaine AléofaneCrozes-Hermitage
Fayolle Fils & Fille, Clos les Cornirets, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
A touch of cola oak gives a certain resinous sappiness to the fruit at the fore - it's noticeable, but not overpowering, and will integrate...
2019
Fayolle Fils & FilleCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Esprit, Perles Ivoire, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Remarkably lively and zesty on the nose. Full-bodied, very rich and generous in body. A pretty classic Crozes, it's lively and packed with pear and...
2019
Domaine EspritCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Laurent Habrard, Grand Classique, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Very deep, smoky and rosemary-scented. Medium-bodied, good acidity, with measured tannins. Remarkably controlled and restrained for the vintage. It has some easy-drinking finesse. A very...
2019
Domaine Laurent HabrardCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Marc Sorrel, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Lovely peppery hint and lifted violets to the aromas. A rich, generous vintage here with good acidity and freshness. There is a little dark chocolate...
2019
Domaine Marc SorrelCrozes-Hermitage
Fayolle Fils & Fille, Sens, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Lovely freshness, full-bodied but with good energy. Well balanced despite the low acidity. Sustained fruit on the finish and beautiful purity. From 25-year-old vines, no...
2019
Fayolle Fils & FilleCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Pradelle, Les Hirondelles, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Thyme, lavender, rosemary, blueberry and liquorice aromas. This is a very svelte and fine style, generous in fruit but not overly ripe with good acidity....
2019
Domaine PradelleCrozes-Hermitage
Fayolle Fils & Fille, Les Pontaix, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Fresh berry fruit, blackberries, not overripe. Medium-bodied, very precise, not overly thick in texture with very fine tannin and good acidity. Better than most Crozes-Hermitage...
2019
Fayolle Fils & FilleCrozes-Hermitage
Cave de Tain, Nobles Rives, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
A medium-bodied, fresh and fluid style, with some noble bitters on the finish - a touch of orange peel. Pure and fresh with a good...
2019
Cave de TainCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Melody, Friandise, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Fresh and lifted with smoky reduction and roast duck aromas - well applied. This is vibrant, very full-bodied, flowing and juicy. The alcohol is high...
2019
Domaine MelodyCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Gilles Robin, Les Marelles, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Pear, a little ripe rhubarb and some crème anglaise. This is a very full-bodied, lush style. It has some textural grip and just enough acidity...
2019
Domaine Gilles RobinCrozes-Hermitage
Yannick Alléno & Michel Chapoutier, Guer Van, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
No hail here in Gervans in 2019. This is a rich and ripe example for Northern Crozes with velvety tannins, slightly dry from the oak...
2019
Yannick Alléno & Michel ChapoutierCrozes-Hermitage
Cave de Tain, Exploration, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
90
Flowing, ripe, pure berry fruit. Tannins are fine and well handled. There is a good sense of direction despite the intense fruit ripeness, and this is better balanced than many 2019 Crozes. No added sulfites.
2019
Cave de TainCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Bott, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Fresh, with precise berry fruit. Rich and velvety with good acidity. Concentrated but not jammy. Destemmed, natural yeasts.
2019
Domaine BottCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Esprit, Perles Noires, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
A very spicy expression, full of soft, succulent fruits. Massy tannins but not dry or bitter. Alcohol is rather high, making for a very rich...
2019
Domaine EspritCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Esprit, Esprit, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
High-toned with smoky spice, succulent fruit and good acidity. The tannins here are better managed than most 2019 Crozes, not overly tough or astringent. Good...
2019
Domaine EspritCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Gilles Robin, Papillon, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Fragrant black olive and juniper. This is measured, fresh and well balanced for the vintage. Full and flowing with ripe black fruit and very tannic...
2019
Domaine Gilles RobinCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Michelas St Jemms, La Chasselière, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Rich black fruit, ripe and flowing - a generous style. An opulent palate, but with a good sense of freshness and upright salinity to the...
2019
Domaine Michelas St JemmsCrozes-Hermitage
Domaine Mucyn, Les Entrecoeurs, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Gentle fruits, blackberry and blueberry, it doesn't shout. Soft on the palate too, with a texture like brushed cotton. The ripe fruit and soft tannins...
2019
Domaine MucynCrozes-Hermitage
Tardieu-Laurent, Vieilles Vignes, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, France, 2019
Very good - this is a fairly rich style of white Crozes, the oak is quite lovingly applied, but it works well. Lacks a bit...
2019
Tardieu-LaurentCrozes-Hermitage
