Alain Graillot is considered one of the most talented producers in the Rhône. It has managed to build this fame in just 20 years, and in a denomination that had been depreciated by many experts until recently. His winery is located in Pont de l'Isère, in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, near Train-Hermitage, and is sited in the middle of the vineyards in an old converted farm.
Cold macerated with the skins for 2-5 days and then ferments at a controlled temperature and macerates for a long time with the skins in cement tanks - between 15 and 21 days. Once fermented, the wine is aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 10% of which are new, and in demi-muits, large 600 litre barrels. It is filtered slightly before bottling but is not clarified.
94/100pts, James Suckling
