Vanessa

9.2

We’re loving this beautiful Laurent Fayolle Syrah from “Clos Les Cornirets,” one of only 3 monopoles in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation of the northern Rhône Valley, France.

Crozes-Hermitage AOC sits on the eastern side (left bank) of the Rhône River, wrapping around the town of Tain L’Hermitage and the famous hill of Hermitage.

Clos Les Cornirets is a small, steep, and terraced site exposed to cooling and drying influences of the Mistral wind. It’s situated on the northern (back) side of Hermitage hill above classic, stony, granitic soils. These conditions, coupled with the 70+ year old vines, create an ideal struggle for the vine, leading to smaller, more concentrated fruit with a strong spine of acidity that brings balance to the final wine.

Laurent Fayolle is the 6th generation to run this family-owned and -operated winery, farming organically, and producing both red and white wines, including several Crozes-Hermitage “crus.” He takes a lower intervention approach in the winery fermenting with wild yeast, using mostly neutral barrels, and no fining or filtering.

As for this particular wine, it’s deep ruby in color with medium (+) aromas and flavors of ripe, fresh black cherry, red and black plum, mulberry, violet, star anise, black licorice, fennel seed, clove, leather, meat, pepper, nutmeg, graphite, tobacco, crushed stone.

It’s dry with medium (+) acidity, a full body, high alcohol (15% ABV) that is balanced by the intensity of aromas and flavors. The tannins are medium (+), smooth and well-integrated. It has a long, elegant finish.

Cheers to family heirlooms that are meticulously cared for and shared with the world one vintage at a time!

— 2 months ago

with Deked1

J. Kim

9.0

More compact and defined than the Yann Chave 2017, has a lot of reserve but also forward fruit. — 4 years ago

Lauren Pattani-Wright

9.6

Not as sugary sweet as a Sauternes but just as rich and lovely — 7 years ago

Mark S.

9.2

Deep cherry red with violet. Transparent edge. Oak, vanilla, chocolate, blue and black berry, black currant, black cherry. Pepper and spices. Petrol. Earthy. Smooth, mild and silky tannin. Leather. Concentrated. Elegant. Roasted. Leather. Drinkable now, 2 hours decanting is much better. Dionnieres is special!! Domaine Fayolle Fils＆Fille AOC Hermitage Les Dionnieres Rouge 19 @9900, Uk, 240601-240622 — 7 months ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Lovely! Had it blind and couldn’t pin it, which makes sense because I almost never drink marsanne. Just ripe white peach, bright acidity, some floral notes and really good oxidative notes which to me came across as salinity more than nuttiness, a bit like fino sherry. Great wine! — 3 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

Positively glistening with minerality. Super-polished outside and super-pure inside. — 4 years ago

Mark S.

9.0

Ruby. Oak, vanilla, black currant. Tannic. Later on, turned into smooth with cosmetic. Elegant! Is that Hermitage? Enough decanting is necessary to enjoy the real taste. 18 @11440, AD, 240509 — 8 months ago

Matt Waring

8.9

Ripe black fruit dominates, finish is peppery and tarry. Medium bodied but luscious feel. Very nice — a year ago

farzad farzin

9.1

Perfect Hermitage — 4 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Nice Northern Rhône Syrah. — 7 years ago