Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage Rouge (750ml)

The Syrah grow on soil that is formed from alluvial deposits of sand, gravel, rocks and stones. Despite being flat, it drains exceedingly well.  The grapes are hand-harvested, from heavily pruned, low-yielding vines.  After harvest, the grapes are not destemmed and the whole clusters are loaded into lined concrete vats for a 2 to 5 day pre-fermentation maceration at 18°C.  Ferentation kicks off via indigenous yeast and the temperatures rise to about 30°C.  The cuvaison lasts 15 to 21 days.  The wine is then aged for one year – 80% of the wine in one to 3 year old oak barrels, the remaining 20% in stainless steel vats.  The wine undergoes a light filtration but no fining before bottling.