2018 Domaine des Remizieres Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Christophe Hermitage

2018 Domaine des Remizieres Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Christophe

94 JD

Featured Review

The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Christophe is one of the flagship releases from this estate. It always has a modern style, yet I never feel it loses any classic Northern Rhône character. Deep blue/purple, with a beautiful nose of cassis, spiced meat, pepper, and graphite, it's medium to full-bodied and has integrated background oak, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a great finish. It shows the ripe, sexy style of the vintage yet has acidity and tannins. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following decade. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JD

Impressively dark and saturated, bursting with blackberries and cassis, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Christophe is an excellent effort. Full-bodied yet fresh, mouthfilling and intense, it delivers well above the norm for the appellation, adding a long, velvety finish to its considerable list of assets. Sourced from Larnage and aged in 70% new oak, the fruit has the requisite concentration to handle the wood for a decade or more of longevity. Bravo!

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RP

Sprays of cinnamon, clove and cedar accent plush black currant and blueberry in this varietal Syrah sourced from vines averaging 65 years in age. Matured 15 months in a combination of new (70%) and one-year old (30%) oak barrels, it's a rich, sultry wine shaded by crushed stones, smoke and licorice. Ripe, silky tannins make it ready to enjoy now but this structured wine should improve through 2030.

Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Aromas of fresh, sliced bananas and yellow peaches lead to a palate that has a very supple and fleshy feel with smooth, fleshy and lightly spicy pears and melon. Drink now.

James Suckling | 91 JS

Type of Wine	Hermitage : Hermitage provides a bouquet of scents and flavors with a texture that cannot be fully deciphered. Expect to be blown away by an orchestral composition of primal blackberries and black raspberries, earthy minerals, playful spice and a thick bassline of smoke. Their immense aging potential makes them ideal candidates for hoarding in your cellar!
Varietal	Shiraz/Syrah : Something magical occurred when two ancient French grapes procreated and the varietal of Syrah entered the world of winegrowing. The exact time period of its inception is still undetermined; however, the origin of Syrah’s parentage confirms it was birthed in the Rhone Valley. DNA testing performed by UC Davis has indicated that Syrah is the progeny of the varietals Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche, both of Rhone origin. Syrah dominates its native homeland of Northern Rhone and has become one of the most popular grape varietals in the world. Syrah, Shiraz and Petite Sirah have often been confused and misunderstood, some consumers believing them to all be the same grape, while others thinking the opposite. Petite Sirah is actually the offspring of Syrah and Peloursin and though related, is an entirely different grape variety. Its official name is Durif, for the name of the French nurseryman who first propagated the varietal in the 1880s; it is called Petite Sirah in California (due to the resemblance of Syrah, but smaller berries). Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape. Producers in Australia have been labelling Syrah as “Shiraz” since James Busby first introduced the varietal to the continent. The Scottish viticulturist brought Syrah from France to Australia in the middle of the 18th century and labelled the cuttings as “Sycras” and “Ciras,” which may have led to the naming. Most California vintners label their bottlings as Syrah and of course in French style and tradition, the name of the village or area the grape is cultivated dictates the label name. The Syrah grape is at home in Northern Rhone where the climate is cool and the terroir is filled with gravel, schist, limestone, iron, granite and sandy soils. It thrives on rocky, hilly terrain with a southern exposure, due to its need for sunlight. Syrah is a very vigorous grape with a spreading growth habit. The berries are small to medium oval shaped blue-black and tend to shrivel when ripe. Today, Syrah is one of the most popular and widely planted grape varietals in the world, covering almost 190,000 hectares across the earth’s surface. It is the only red grape variety permitted by AOC regulations in the appellations of Hermitage and Cote-Rotie, where it has breathed life into some of the most tremendous wines on the planet. Languedoc-Roussilon has the most surface area planted in France with 43,200 hectares dedicated to Syrah. The varietal is used for blending in Southern Rhone, Provence and even Bordeaux. Syrah has spread worldwide from Australia to California and South Africa to Spain creating the ‘New World’ hype of the varietal. Since the 1990’s, Syrah winegrowing and production has increased exponentially; for example, in 1958 there were a mere 2,000 hectares planted in France. By 2005 that number increased to over 68,000 hectares and today it is well over 70,000. The same holds true for California, Australia and other ‘New World’ producers that have jumped “all in.” World-wide there are approximately 190,000 hectares of Syrah currently being cultivated. The allure of Syrah has taken the world by storm, but is important to note where the hype began. Long before Syrah was being stamped with ‘New World’ or of ‘cult status,’ the tremendous quality of Hermitage was being written about in Thomas Jefferson’s diary. Today, the grape variety can be grown, fashioned, named and enjoyed in a myriad of ways, but the quality of Syrah grape remains the same – incredible.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Rhone : While the Northern Rhone produces only about 5% of all wine coming out of the Rhone Valley, the quality of these bottles is not to be underestimated. The terroir in this region is heavenly for growing Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne or Rousanne - the only permitted grapes in the AOC. Picture this - the Rhone flows through the valley like an azure thread piercing the landscape, a reflection of the dreamy skies hovering above the vineyards, ready to produce rainfall at a moment's notice. The rocky soil of the steep, almost surreal hillsides provides a bountiful feast for the grapevine roots. The flavors and texture of Northern Rhone wines tell you everything you need to know as soon as your lips touch the elixir, like a whisper in the vigorous valley winds As per the Southern Rhone wine, it is like taking a plunge into a whirlpool of juicy flavor. Every sip explodes forward like a crashing tsunami, bathing your tastebuds in delicious aromas of prune, chocolate, grass, and black fruit. The wines are so compelling that it can be hard to drink them casually at a social event without getting lost in their intricate textures and emotional depths. Let's set sail together, and drink deep from these luxurious bottles with our friends and loved ones.

Producer	Joseph Drouhin : Burgundy is one of (if not the) the most fascinating, revered and mind-expanding wine regions in the world. It possesses a multi-faceted and complex wine classification system, a mesmerizing history, unrivaled terroir and centuries of winemaking “know-how”. However, vineyard space in Burgundy, let alone, the Cote d’Or, is extremely prized, coveted and difficult to obtain. While it is considered fortunate to own a single parcel of land, it is even more remarkable to own multiple plots in several appellations. The previous statement sanctions an incredible awareness for the grandeur of Domaine Joseph Drouhin, who owns holdings in nearly every winemaking district in Burgundy (and surrounding areas) including the Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Chablis and Beaujolais. This incredible feat is a testament to the founding family’s sheer determination, personal sacrifice and guile. Today, Joseph Drouhin is one of the finest establishments in France and one of the largest producers of Burgundian wine, with a staggering history which defines the term, “adapt, overcome, and improvise.” Furthermore, the family’s many contributions to the region have been indispensable and advantageous. The history of the domaine dates back to 1880 when Monsieur Joseph Drouhin, upon arriving in Beaune from Chablis founded the eponymous negociant firm (Maison Joseph Drouhin). He quickly discovered that the current trend, blending wines from throughout Burgundy and even the Rhone, was giving the region a poor reputation. Realizing this as well as finding disdain for this multi-regional blending of wines under the Burgundian label, did not sit well with Monsieur Drouhin’s son, Maurice, who took over on his father’s passing in 1918. He became heavily involved with the creation of the Institut of National des Appellations d’Origine, which would ultimately establish the French appellation control system. In chorus with this venture, Maurice began to purchase vineyards, including those in Clos des Mouches and Clos de Vougeot in order to establish a domaine for the family. At the height of the German occupation during World War II, Maison Joseph Drouhin was the exclusive distributor of wines for Domaine de la Romanee Conti (DRC) in France and Belgium. He managed to hide many bottles along with his own wines, by building a wall in his cellar and swathing it with cobwebs in order for it to appear older, thus, fortifying the small fortune in a secure chamber. The Drouhin’s also wittingly assisted with bottling lesser quality wines under the house labels to send to the Nazis and Hitler, while keeping the good wines for the locals. This would eventually be noticed by the Nazis, who then deployed a wine master to oversee production. Fortunately, this German wine master happened to be good friends with Drouhin, so again the family was able to protect its most valuable wines in secret. Maurice’s status as the Mayor of Beaune, his production of fine wine as well as his involvement with the resistance, made him a high-profile target for the Gestapo, who began searching for him. He managed to escape, via Beaune’s underground tunnel system, to the Hospices de Beaune where remained incognito until the eventual liberation of Beaune. After the war, the region was left devastated; however, Drouhin was able to recover financially by selling the hidden wines. This was a personal sacrifice that generated enough revenue to rebound the operations of Joseph Drouhin, which Laurent Drouhin (Grandson of Maurice) declares “another of his visionary ideas to preserve the legacy of the Domaine.” Maurice’s son, Robert, took control of operations in 1957 and like his father, recognized the value of the region’s terroir. He began expanding the domaine through the purchase of parcels in Cote de Nuits, Chambolle Musigny, and 40 hectares of unplanted land in Chablis: both an homage to his Grandfather and in recognition of the land’s immense potential. Once again, like his father and grandfather before him, he adapted to the ever-changing demands of nature and the world around it by eliminating the use of pesticides, developing organic and biodynamic approaches to viticulture which remain in use. Today, his children run the House of Joseph Drouhin, perpetuating the tradition set before them by their great grandfather, continuing his legacy 144 years later, never shying away from adapting, improvising or overcoming in order to obtain elegance and perfection, the hallmark of Joseph Drouhin. The domaine of Joseph Drouhin spans 80 hectares throughout the Cote d’Or, Maconnais, Cote Chalonnaise, Chablis and Beaujolais, with 60% of the vineyards classified as either Premier or Grand Cru (90% in the Cote d’Or). Thanks to previous generation’s great foresight and ambitious efforts in acquiring prized land, the Drouhins own parcels in some of the most famous vineyards in Burgundy, such as Clos des Mouches, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, and Corton Charlemagne, to name just a few. The two Burgundian grape varieties are cultivated in this historic terroir; however, Laurent Drouhin states, “We do not produce Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, we produce terroir wine. The truth is in the glass.” In order “to bring natural answers to natural problems” Drouhin’s uses organic and biodynamic approaches in order to express the exact character of each terroir. Respecting the land of their ancestors is the surest way to preserving the terroir for future generations. The soil is ploughed by horse, while grass is permitted to grow between the vines to deter erosion and to create a natural refuge for beneficial predatory animals. Drouhin allows their vines to thrive using only natural methods such as herb-based decoctions and natural composting. The vines are densely planted, taking root as deep as possible, allowing the grapes to be receptive to the faintest message emanating from each soil. All vine-stocks are grown in their own nursery to preserve their genetic heritage and to control quality. This tedious, but incredibly brilliant method of operation in the vineyard produces a line of wines that speaks of the family’s dedication to preserving the land and ultimately, the intrinsic nature of the wines that mirror the terroir from which they are born. The incredibly diverse portfolio of Joseph Drouhin is chock-full of elegant wines that are the truest expression of Burgundy and highlighted by their numerous Grand Cru offerings including Chablis Les Clos, Bougros and Vaudesir, Bonnes Mares, Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Echezeaux, Musigny, Batard Montrachet, Corton Charlemagne, countless Premier Cru in each sub-region of Burgundy, and various “Cru” wines of Beaujolais. For some village or regional appellations, Joseph Drouhin complements its supplies by purchasing grapes from other vineyard owners who have been long time partners and share the same quest of excellence. This massive operation is able to produces between 300,000 to 400,000 cases each year. As the great grandson of Joseph Drouhin so eloquently stated, “These wines reflect the passion from one vintage to the next, from one generation to the next, from one dream to the next, and from one century to the next. Wine is history and it is something special for me… As my great-grandfather looks down, I am here 139 years later sharing his legacy with you, connecting us all to generations past.” – Laurent Drouhin