2017 Domaine Christelle Betton Crozes Hermitage "Espiegle" Rouge

• Organically farm vineyards 
  
• Textbook Syrah from Crozes-Hermitage
• Old School Pigeage
  
• Free Shipping on 12 bottles or more 

About the Wine

Introducing a young and playful wine, that’s bright, fun and full of energy! “Espiegle” means playful or mischievous in french, a name only fit for a wine that’s ready to express itself through loud fragrant notes and charming red fruit. 

Representing the third generation of her family to have answered the siren call of northern Rhône Syrah, Christelle Betton’s vision is one of pure and refined fruit, inspired by the cool northern Mistral winds and stony personality of her family’s vineyards in La Roche de Glun. Christelle manages 15 acres of vines in Crozes-Hermitage and one-third acre in Hermitage. Her skills come naturally, having watched her grandfather and father care for their vines, plowing the fields by hand and farming as naturally as possible. Today Christelle farms her land organically, but is not certified; she prefers the flexibility of allowing the earth to tell her what it needs, and when.

The wine is a selection of fruit born from the domaine’s youngest vines. The area is dry; the family plows their land by hand, to train the vines’ roots to dig deep in the rocky soils for nutrients and moisture. Hand-harvested. Fermented in tanks on indigenous yeasts; gentle crushing by foot or pigeage. Aged in older French oak barrels for one year. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. 

100% Syrah. Aromas of summer berries, light earth, peppery spice. Dominated by red, ripe fruit; moderate tannins. Best served chilled. Enjoy this playful wine alongside charcuterie or roasted chicken with herbs.

Like you, the “Espiegle” is charismatic and captivating. It pulls you in with a perfumed nose before delivering a seductive dance around the palate, leaving you yearning for more!

Reviews

“Lurid violet. Expressive, mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry scents are complemented by hints of smoky bacon and succulent flowers. Bright and energetic on the palate, offering juicy black and blue fruit flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. Closes long and nervy, showing very good clarity on a minerally, subtly tannic finish.”  -91pts Vinous 

“Moving to the 2017s and tasted from bottle, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Espiègle is the larger production cuvée and is all about upfront charm and drinkability.Lots of red and black fruits, flowers, and spice all emerge from the glass. It’s medium-bodied, has moderate tannins, and a layered, balance profile ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.”  -90pts Jeb Dunnuck 

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