I really enjoyed Domaine de Thalabert Crozes 2006 from Jaboulet at the wine trade fair on Thursday and, of course, every bottle of Graillot is a delight, but this is also a serious example of the appellation. Colombier Hermitage is what the clever lover of Hermitage buys these days.
Crozes-Hermitage ‘Cuvee Gaby’ 2004, Domaine du Colombier
The nose is bursting with peppery spiciness, lovely black fruit there too and the merest hint of dark chocolate. This is a properly complex Crozes on the nose. It is quite refined and elegant, could I mistake this for Cote-Rotie if served it blind? Possibly, possibly. There is real concentration to the palate, but again there is good refinement. The fruit is quite delicious. Indeed, the tightly integrated palate is all quite delicious. I’m terribly pleased with this, thanks Dan and Jeff for bringing it around. A quite lovely 2004 Crozes, I’d love to try (and age) some 2005.