Laurus
Crozes-Hermitage 2016

AOP Crozes-Hermitage Red

Awards

92 pts Jeb Dunnuck
89 pts Wine Spectator

Tasting

“The 2016 Crozes-Hermitage Laurus Sélection Parcellaire from Meffre (mostly from the northern part of the appellation) sports a medium ruby/plum color to go with modern-styled aromas of cassis, toasted spice, vanilla oak and pepper. Rich, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured and balanced, it has more fruit and texture than most in the vintage.” Jeb Dunnuck, January 2018.

Food & wine pairings

Stuffed quails with foie gras – Braised beef

Detailed information

Vintage

After a particularly mild winter, vines reached early maturity. The hot summer in the Northern Rhone Valley kept the vines very healthy, and the mid-harvest rains favoured a ripening without stress. The 2016 vintage is richly fruity and structured.

Grape varieties

Syrah

Terroir

Plots were selected on the two maine terroirs of the AOP:
– to the North, in the village of Gervans, granitic soils (150m of altitude – West exposure) give the wine its mineral quality.

– to the South, in the village de Mercurol, clay soils covered with small pebbles on ancient alluvial terraces of the Rhône river (100m of altitude – South/Southwest exposure) give the wine its structure and fruit.

Winemaking

Harvest started on September 29th 2016. Each parcel is vinified separately. Malolactic fermentation and maturation on lees in 275-liter Laurus new oak barrels during 16 months.
Production: 3 300 bottles
Bottled on: April 24th 2018

Service

Best served at 14-16°C – Ideal when opened 4 hours beforehand.
Optimum maturity: 2018 – 2028

Degree of alcohol

13,5% vol.

Technical sheet HD label HD Packshot

Laurus

Laurus means ‘Laurel’ in Latin, a Roman symbol of excellence. Here excellence is all about “terroir”: the grapes are grown on parcels selected for their ability to express the very best of each Appellation.

The term “terroir” encompasses a soil, a climate and people. Here it is expressed through sustainable partnerships with wine-growers who share our vision. The perfect combination of grape variey & soil, the precise maturing process in unique 275l. French oak "Laurus" barrels refines the structure, producing complex wines, with plenty of character, beautiful elegance and a long ageing potential.