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Kevin's comments: Intense, classic Syrah character of smoky bacon and red fruits with hints of black olives.
Chateau Tasting Notes
CROZES-HERMITAGE ROUGE, DOMAINE MICHELAS-SAINT JEMMS, RHONE
Created in 1861, Domaine Michelas-St Jemms comprises 46 hectares, of which over 36 cover the Crozes-Hermitage area. Situated on the East bank of the river Rhone, this is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhone. Traditional, labour-intensive viticultural methods are often used by necessity as most vineyards are planted on steep terraces. The domaine's vineyards can be found in the communes of Mercurol, Pont de l'Isere, Beaumont, Monteux and Larnage.
Grapes: 100% Syrah
Soil: Clay and chalky with stones (Galets) from the Rhone
Vinification: The grapes were partly machine harvested and de-stemmed. They were hand harvested on the hillside vines. Traditional vinification with 18 days maceration. Stirring took place twice a day to extract the maximum aromas. Fermentation was carried out in temperature controlled vats at 25-30C in order to extract the maximum colour. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in vats which lasted from 1 to 2 months. The wine was then aged in large wooden oak barrels for 6 to 9 months prior to being bottled.
Serve: At 16-18C with red meats, sausages, poultry and cheese.
Taste: Intense classic Syrah character of smoky bacon and red fruits complemented by supple tannins and a long finish. Will age for up to 6 years from vintage.
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