Crozes Hermitage is the largest of the Northern Rhône appellations. It covers the territory of 11 communes in the Drôme “département”, on the left bank of the Rhône river.

In the Northern part, the soils are formed by the granitic slopes that run on from those of Hermitage. To the South, soils are alluvial, stemming from glacier and river beds, with benches made up of rolled stones and silt from the Rhône river.

The wine is made from a blend of grapes that come exclusively from the Domaine des Grands Chemins, owned by Delas Frères. All the vineyard plots lie on benches known as the “Chassis”, formed at the junction between the rivers Isère and Rhône.

Maturing is conducted over a 14 month period, partly in tanks and partly in small Burgundian barrels that have already held one or two wines

On the nose this Crozes-Hermitage “Domaine des Grands Chemins” shows seductive whiffs of crushed black fruit (dark cherries, blackberries and blackcurrants) which evolve in the glass to reveal slightly smoky and liquorice notes. On the palate, the seriousness of the wine combines with its delicacy: the first impact is fresh and lively. The texture is tannic but intense, pulpy, and almost silky. This truly balanced wine expresses a nice complexity generous and true to the genuine “terroir” of the “Domaine des Grands Chemines”.

Pairs wonderfully with Red meat, feathered game, and lamb in pastry