Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 'Les Machonnières' Domaine des Entrefaux 2023

Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 'Les Machonnières' represents the flagship wine of artisanal winemaker Domaine des Entrefaux, a robust Syrah made from a selection of the oldest vines. Following a traditional and genuine approach, this Domaine in the Northern Rhône makes expressions at the qualitative pinnacle of the Crozes-Hermitage AOC. Suffice it to say that many of the grapes grown by the Tardy family, who founded the estate in 1979, were sold to major négociants such as Guigal, a historic name in French oenology.

'Les Machonnières' Crozes-Hermitage Rouge Domaine des Entrefaux comes from only Syrah grapes grown within the communes of Beaumont-Monteux and Mercurol-Veaunes. This is where the Domaine's oldest vineyards, aged between 50 and 70 years, are located, rooted on clay-limestone soils that originated from the Alpine flood. Agronomic management uses organic certification, and harvesting is done by hand when the grapes have reached the optimal stage of ripeness. Subsequently, the clusters are destemmed and mash in wooden barrels for spontaneous alcoholic fermentation operated by indigenous yeasts only, for a total duration of 4 weeks. The subsequent aging phase, which lasts 12-18 months, takes place in first, second and third passage oak barrels.

In the glass, Domaine des Entrefaux's Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 'Les Machonnières' exhibits a dark ruby-red guise. The nose offers elegant and intense aromas of berries such as strawberry, cherry and blackberry, combined with characteristic hints of black pepper, olive paste and sweet spices. Juicy, broad and balanced on the palate, marked by soft tannins and a very persistent finish on the sensations evoked by the nose.