Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Alberic 2019

Produced from vines in 3 sites averaging more than 40 years old which are located on the best red clay soils close to the Hermitage hill.

Review for 2018
'Scents of cracked pepper and mint emerge on the nose of the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Alberic. (Longtime fans of this fine domaine will note that the names of the various cuvées have been shortened.) Backed by vibrant blackberry and blueberry, this is a medium to full-bodied, silky-textured offering that displays ample length and freshness on the finish. Drink 2021-2028.' 92 points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, May 2021.

Gilles Robin

The Robin family have grown grapes in Crozes-Hermitage for generations, but until 1995 they were always sold to the local cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage. Today, Gilles estate bottles his entire production and consistently produces some of the very best wines of this appellation. Gilles has just 15 hectares, however most of those vineyards are fully mature at more than 40 years old.

The estate has several plots of land in the favoured ‘Les Chassis’ district just south of the Hermitage hill. The soils in this area consist of large amounts of smooth pudding stones ‘galets’ and red clay from the route the Rhône river once flowed. These richer clay based soils give a wine that is typically rounder and more generous than from some other areas of the appellation.

Owing to the large amount of mature old vines at this estate most of the wine produced is of the premium “Alberic Bouvet” cuvee. This cuvee is produced from vines averaging 40 years age. Picking is done by hand and yields are kept low at around 38 hl/ha. In the ripest years a small percentage of stems are allowed in the ferment and the wine is aged in barriques (and increasingly in larger 450 litre barrels) for about 15 months with about 15% new barrels used each year.