Crozes-Hermitage AOC "La Guiraude" 2013

Vineyards

Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude 2013 is sourced from some of the finest vineyard parcels in the northern Rhône, where Syrah thrives on alluvial and gravelly soils with excellent drainage. The terroir benefits from the region’s continental climate, with warm summers and the cooling influence of the Mistral wind, allowing for slow, even ripening and the development of complex flavours.

Winemaking

Crafted by Alain Graillot, La Guiraude is a selection of the estate’s best barrels from the vintage rather than a single vineyard cuvée. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo whole-cluster fermentation using native yeasts, a hallmark of Graillot’s style. Aged in used French oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, the wine develops depth and finesse while preserving its purity of fruit and vibrant structure.

Appearance

Deep ruby with garnet reflections, indicating both concentration and evolving maturity.

Nose

Expressive and layered, revealing matured aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and dried violets, with evolved notes of black olive, leather, and smoked meat. Subtle hints of cedar, spice, and earthy minerality add further complexity. Expressive and layered, revealing blackberries, dark cherries, and violets, with underlying notes of black olive, pepper, and smoked meat.

Palate

Elegant yet powerful, with finely structured tannins that have softened gracefully with age. The palate presents layers of ripe black fruit, liquorice, and savoury spice, now seamlessly integrated with tertiary notes of dried herbs, graphite, and a touch of tobacco. The acidity remains vibrant, lending freshness to a long, complex finish with a lingering mineral-driven edge. Elegant yet powerful, with finely structured tannins supporting flavours of ripe black fruit, liquorice, and savoury spice. The acidity provides freshness, leading to a long, mineral-driven finish with hints of earth and graphite.

Food pairing

A superb match for roasted lamb, duck confit, and grilled ribeye, as well as dishes featuring mushrooms, black truffle, or aged cheeses.

Background story

Domaine Alain Graillot has been a benchmark producer in Crozes-Hermitage since its founding in the 1980s. Known for his meticulous approach and commitment to sustainable viticulture, Graillot has championed whole-cluster fermentation and minimal intervention to craft wines of elegance, structure, and remarkable ageing potential. La Guiraude is not made every year—only in vintages where the finest barrels show exceptional depth and balance, making it a sought-after expression of Crozes-Hermitage.