Domaine Alain GRAILLOT
Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude
- 2023
- Crozes-hermitage rouge
Regarded as the ‘pope of Crozes-Hermitage’, the Alain Graillot estate has, since the 1980s, played a major role in raising the profile of this appellation, which was previously so undervalued. On alluvial gravel soils (at the confluence of the Isère and Rhône rivers), this estate has been producing straightforward, juicy, elegant and, above all, perfectly easy-drinking wines for 40 years. Awarded two stars in the 2026 edition of the Revue du Vin de France guide.
La Guiraude is not a single-vineyard cuvée but a selection of the finest barrels from a great vintage. In 2023, it was a "coup de cœur" in the Revue du Vin de France, scoring 94/100: "Admirable, with depth, length and a wonderfully juicy expression".
The 2023 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (2026 Guide): 94/100 Coup de ♥ “La Guiraude, a selection of barrels, is admirable, with depth, length and a wonderfully juicy character.”
Vinous (N. Greinacher – January 2026): 93/100 “The 2023 Crozes-Hermitage La Guiraude shows well, opening with pronounced spice box, dried violets, forest strawberry and ripe black cherry. Medium-bodied and concentrated, the 2023 shows outstanding overall balance, bringing the palate to rest with well-etched tension and gentle tannic structure.”
- To keep or to drink :
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée :
- 2028-2040
From the same producer
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Regarded as the ‘pope of Crozes-Hermitage’, the Alain Graillot estate has, since the 1980s, played a major role in raising the profile of this appellation, which was previously so undervalued. On alluvial gravel soils (at the confluence of the Isère and Rhône rivers), this estate has been producing straightforward, juicy, elegant and, above all, perfectly easy-drinking wines for 40 years. Awarded two stars in the 2026 edition of the Revue du Vin de France guide.
The 2024 vintage in the press:
Vinous (N. Greinacher – January 2026): 89/100 “The light to medium-bodied 2024 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc starts its aromatic profile with flinty lemon flesh, ripe pear and white peach. Crisp and bright, the 2024 packs moderate overall substance and concludes with a clean finish.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2027-2034
- Grape varieties:
- 80% marsanne, 20% roussanne
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Regarded as the ‘pope of Crozes-Hermitage’, the Alain Graillot estate has, since the 1980s, played a major role in raising the profile of this appellation, which was previously so undervalued. On alluvial gravel soils (at the confluence of the Isère and Rhône rivers), this estate has been producing straightforward, juicy, elegant and, above all, perfectly easy-drinking wines for 40 years. Awarded two stars in the 2026 edition of the Revue du Vin de France guide.
The 2023 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (2026 Guide): 92/100 “The reds are up to the task: in the typically ‘unpretentious’ style we’ve come to expect, the Crozes delivers a spicy and juicy performance, carried by the whole-cluster harvest which lends it a noble vegetal character. It’s hard to resist.”
Vinous (N. Greinacher – January 2026): 91/100 “The 2023 Crozes-Hermitage comes out shining, opening with dried violets, orange rind and ripe red fruits. Delicately assertive fleshy tones add more complexity. Midweighted and refined, the 2023 surpasses the 2022 by a landslide, doubling down with accentuated freshness on the savoury finale.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2027-2035
-
Regarded as the ‘pope of Crozes-Hermitage’, the Alain Graillot estate has, since the 1980s, played a major role in raising the profile of this appellation, which was previously so undervalued. On alluvial gravel soils (at the confluence of the Isère and Rhône rivers), this estate has been producing straightforward, juicy, elegant and, above all, perfectly easy-drinking wines for 40 years. Awarded two stars in the 2026 edition of the Revue du Vin de France guide.
The 2023 vintage in the press:
La Revue du Vin de France (2026 Guide): 93/100
Vinous (N. Greinacher – January 2026): 90/100 “The 2023 Saint-Joseph comes forward nicely in these early days, opening with delicate licorice, black cherry, clove and hints of blackberry. Round and refined, the medium-bodied 2023 checks out with spicy persistence.”
More- To keep or to drink:
- Wait 1 to 2 years
- Apogée:
- 2028-2037