Crozes Hermitage Cuvée Christophe

Producer Domaine Remizières Region Northern Rhône, France Encepagement 100% Syrah Elevage 100% in new barrels Not fined or filtered 35 year old vines from Larnage and Mercurol Reviews for 2000 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #147 (June 2003): "Points: 88. The 2000 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Christophe emerges primarily from one of the appellation's finest terroirs, the hillsides of Larnage. Aged in 75% new oak, it exhibits a dense plum/ruby/purple color along with a sweet nose of smoky black fruits intermixed with earth, dried herbs, and vanilla. Soft and supple, with low acidity and ripe tannin, it is best consumed over the next 5-6 years. Philippe Desmeures continues to build on his recent successes (the 1999s remain his finest efforts to date). This is a serious estate given Desmeures's unmanipulative winemaking philosophy that puts as much of the essence of his vineyards into the bottle as anyone. In the more challenging 2000 and 2001 vintages, the red wine cuvees have turned out well, although none are up to the level of the 1999s." © The Wine Advocate From the The Wine Advocate, Issue 140 (Apr 2002): "Points: 88-90. The 2000 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvée Christophe rouge is from a challenging vintage (only because crop sizes were too large). The wine possesses surprising weight, fat, and ripeness. Neither diluted nor superficial (as are many 2000 reds), it exhibits a dark purple color, deep, sweet, cassis flavors, and plenty of earth, licorice, pepper, and spice. Although it does not display the profound depth of the awesome 1999, it should provide lovely drinking for 7-10 years. The wine is produced from low yields, ripe fruit, minimal levels of sulphur dioxide, and is bottled with neither fining nor filtration. The winemaking philosophy is essentially hands off until the wines are bottled. The result is brilliant, and merits significant attention from Rhone wine enthusiasts." © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2003): "Points: 89. Good full medium ruby. Expressive aromas of raw blackberry, tar, minerals, gunflint, espresso and bitter chocolate. Supple, ripe and peppery, with rather tender fruit and strong torrefaction notes. Fresh, chewy and nicely delineated. Quite aromatic on the back end and showing well today. This has turned out nicely." © International Wine Cellar Reviews for 2001 Vintage From the Wine Advocate, #147 (June 2003): "Points: 89-91. The 2001 Crozes-Hermitage Cuvee Christophe reveals more volume and depth along with notes of tapenade, Provencal herbs, licorice, black currants, and new oak. This nicely-textured, medium to full-bodied, ripe, generous red will drink well for 5-8 years. Philippe Desmeures continues to build on his recent successes (the 1999s remain his finest efforts to date). This is a serious estate given Desmeures's unmanipulative winemaking philosophy that puts as much of the essence of his vineyards into the bottle as anyone. In the more challenging 2000 and 2001 vintages, the red wine cuvees have turned out well, although none are up to the level of the 1999s." © The Wine Advocate From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2003): "Points: 88-90. (from older hillside vines; aged in 70% new barrels) Good saturated ruby. Blackberry, violet, licorice and a floral nuance on the nose. Juicy and intensely flavored but tight, even a bit hard-edged, with penetrating blueberry and mint flavors. Almost severe today following the racking in September; this will need at least a couple years of aging after it's bottled in February." © International Wine Cellar Reviews for 2003 Vintage From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2006): "Points: 88. Bright violet.  Fresher than the basic Crozes, but still very ripe and roasted on the nose.  Lush and broad in the mouth, with powerful flavors of blackberry and roasted coffee.  Finishes lush, with liqueur-like fruit, a note of espresso and serious tannins." © International Wine Cellar Reviews for 2004 Vintage From the International Wine Cellar (Jan/Feb 2006): "Points: 88-90. (mostly from old vines on the hillside, raised in 45% new Barriques): Bright red color. Red berries and minerals on the nose, with strong spice notes of clove, cinnamon and vanilla. Lush and sweet but vibrant, with red and dark berry flavors offering moderate weight and a chewy texture. Fresh, floral and persistent on the finish, which features fine, dusty tannins." © International Wine Cellar

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