The 2019 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude was bottled in March 2021, but it is just being sold this spring (2022). It's a full-bodied, rich effort, almost a bit over the top, with bold flavors of blackberry jam, uncluttered and unsoftened by much in the way of new oak. It's concentrated and intense, a bit chewy without being overly hard, with a long, velvety finish.

Showing greater intensity and complexity than the regular bottling, the 2016 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude also is made entirely whole cluster, yet it shows less prominent stemmy notes. Olive, roasted meat and cherry notes mingle easily on the nose and palate. This is medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, fine, elegant finish. It should drink well for over a decade.

La Guiraude is simply a barrel selection of Graillot's Crozes Hermitage. The 2015 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude is darker and meatier than the regular cuvée, offering notes of black cherries, soy sauce and roasted meat. It's full-bodied and dense, packed with flavor and richness, and long and velvety on the finish.

Sharing lots of similarities to the straight Crozes Hermitage, the limited production 2013 Crozes Hermitage la Guiraude has a touch more ripeness and density in its plum, licorice, smoked meats and olive brine-driven bouquet. This gives way to a full-bodied 2013 that has solid mid-palate depth, plenty of texture and a great finish. A selection of the top barrels (not destemmed and aged all in older oak), it too will evolve gracefully for a decade.

Also outstanding, the 2012 Crozes Hermitage La Guiraude is a smaller production cuvee and is a selection of the top barrels. It’s more showy and open than the classical cuvee at the moment, but it doesn’t seem any more concentrated or rich, and I’m not sure it’s any better. Showing plenty of sweet fruit, toasted spice and licorice, it’s medium to full-bodied, polished and creamily textured on the palate. Enjoy this beauty over the coming 7-8 years.