Domaine des Entrefaux

Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône Valley

2016 Crozes-Hermitage 'Les Champs Fourné'

Sourced from the youngest vines of the domaine, less that 10 years old, partly from the chalky clay of the south facing hills around Mercurol and partly off the stony alluvial plateau. Cropped at around 2.5 tonnes/acre. 10-15% aged in old barrels with half the rest in stainless tank and the other half in ouef béton (concrete egg). Unfined with a very light filtration. Shiny fragrant purple berry fruits with plum and spice and pepper similar to the 2011. A little tapenade but the fruits are more purple than black this year. Five spice. Medium bodied. Fresh and floral. Sweet purple and black fruits, tapenade, savoury spices and a fresh mineral acid vein. Juicy. Good depth.

Other vintages available: 2015

2015 Crozes-Hermitage 'Les Pends'

From gravel and clay soil. Aged 2/3rds in 5 year old barrels and the rest on ouef béton. Young vines with a south east exposition. Deep vibrant colour. A little oak spice. Fruit is purple and black fruit pastille. Still mineral. Very small amount of earthy funk. Black olive, pepper and liquorice. Palate is fairly open knit. Sweet cassis and black fruits with sweet wood spice. Liqueured black cherry. Fine grainy tannins are a little earthy and dry on the finish but no match for the sweet creamy black fruits.