The 2017 Crozes-Hermitage is a classic Crozes that shines for its complexity as well as texture. Complex notes of ripe black fruits, olives, spring flowers, and pepper all emerge from the glass, and it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, bright acidity, and building tannins, all of which give the wine a firm, age-worthy feel. It's got plenty of fruit and will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade. Lovers of impeccably made, old school Northern Rhône Syrah can't go wrong with a case of this.

Dark violet. Intensely perfumed aromas of dark fruit preserves, baking spices and potpourri are accompanied by smoky mineral and olive notes that build with air. Densely packed and seamless in the mouth, offering spice-tinged black and blue fruit flavors and violet pastille and candied licorice nuances. Smooth, even tannins build slowly on the impressively persistent finish, which features a resonating suggestion of exotic spices. -- Josh Raynolds

Bottled in March 2019, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage walks a tightrope, balancing ample weight against taut acids and herbal, tea-like nuances against cranberries and raspberries. It's full-bodied but fine and elegant, maybe just a touch drying on the finish but a solid effort. - Joe Czerwinski