The 2015 Crozes Hermitage is another possibly outstanding effort. Coming from multiple terroirs (both Granite and clay/pebbly soils) and aging in tronconique tanks and demi-muids, it offers classic notes of red and black fruits, saddle leather and peppery herbs in a fresh, lively, nicely-focused style. It's a high quality, classic Syrah that will keep for 7-8 years.

My favorite of the lineup, the 2013 Crozes Hermitage should be an outstanding wine. Cassis, crushed rocks, spice, black raspberry and subtle underbrush all emerge from this full-bodied, seriously endowed 2013. Possessing notable purity, solid freshness and a great finish, it too will have upward of a decade of longevity.

Showing more smoke, menthol, tobacco and pepper, as well as a gamey core of dark fruit, the 2012 Crozes Hermitage is balanced, medium-bodied and elegant, with vibrant acidity and fine tannin all emerging on the finish. Possibly outstanding, it should drink nicely on release and evolve gracefully for 7-8 years. A collaboration between the Perrin Family, of Beaucastel, and Nicolas Jaboulet, of the Jaboulet family in the northern Rhone, this lineup is made mostly from purchased grapes (The Perrin’s own some of the vineyards in Crozes), with the wines made using Beaucastel barrels in the north, and blended at the Perrin Family winery in the south. They are all well-made, high quality efforts. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

More austere, the 2010 Crozes-Hermitage exhibits notes of tapenade, earth, licorice, bouquet garni, and red as well as black cherries. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. (Not yet released)This relatively new negociant operation combines two of the great families of the Rhone Valley, the Perrins in Chateauneuf du Pape and the Jaboulets in the northern Rhone. In this case, it is Nicolas Jaboulet working with the Perrins. Their objective is to produce high quality selections from major northern appellations. Launching a new brand in a difficult economic environment is always risky, but given the resources available to these two families, this should be a brand worth following. Their first releases were from challenging vintages such as 2006 and 2007, and they appear to be hitting their stride with the 2009s and 2010s.Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802

The elegant 2009 Crozes-Hermitage (1,000 cases produced) reveals notes of incense, licorice, fruitcake, earth, red and black cherries, tar and pepper. It should drink well for 3-4 years. This relatively new negociant operation combines two of the great families of the Rhone Valley, the Perrins in Chateauneuf du Pape and the Jaboulets in the northern Rhone. In this case, it is Nicolas Jaboulet working with the Perrins. Their objective is to produce high quality selections from major northern appellations. Launching a new brand in a difficult economic environment is always risky, but given the resources available to these two families, this should be a brand worth following. Their first releases were from challenging vintages such as 2006 and 2007, and they appear to be hitting their stride with the 2009s and 2010s. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 980-8802