2021 Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc

The family owns 22 ha of vineyards made up of 30-year-old vines in Crozes-Hermitage that are planted on well-drained, flat alluvial plains between the Rhône and Isère Rivers and two small parcels of 12-year-old vines in St. Joseph planted on hard, granite slopes that produce a slightly fresher, easy-drinking wine. Total plantings include Syrah for reds and Marsanne and Roussanne for whites. The vines are farmed organically with traditional chemical-free vineyard management techniques, and all fruit is hand-harvested and respected based on its expressive terroir.

Alain Graillot’s white Crozes-Hermitage is a deliciously crunchy blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, whole-bunch pressed and naturally fermented in 600-litre demi muids. The fruit comes from a 2.7-hectare plot on the deep alluvial soils of Pont-de-l’Isère. Maxime compensates for the richness of fruit (in particular from the Marsanne) by arresting the malo to maintain cut. He bottles under screwcap for the same reason.