Jacques Frelin Vignobles Crozes Hermitage 2001

This wine is not to be missed! A wonderful Syrah from the area of Tain l'Hermitage in the Rhone Valley, south of Lyon. Syrah grapes from six different organic vineyards were blended by Jacques to produce a wine of depth and power that will age gracefully for five to ten years. The wine was aged eight months in new oak barrels and lightly filtered before bottling.

Jacques Frelin is a central figure in French organic viticulture. He is the CEO of Terroirs Vivants, the largest organic wine merchant in France. His wines are consistently of high quality. This is a hugely impressive Crozes Hermitage. A good solid Syrah with rustic simplicity. The luscious aromatics of this wine linger on and on. Its smokey, black fruit flavors have the liqueur-like sweetness of chocolate covered cherries.