Noble Estates presents the wines of la Maison Les Alexandrins.
The Nicolas Perrin house is now known as Maison Les Alexandrins.
Domaine & Maison Les Alexandrins came into being with the collaboration of three figures of the Northern Rhone Valley: Nicolas Jaboulet, 6th generation of a winegrowing family in Tain l’Hermitage since 1834, Guillaume Sorrel, son of Marc Sorrel of Domaine Sorrel in Hermitage, and Alexandre Caso, specialist in the terroirs of the Northern Rhone. They came together in 2012 when Nicolas Jaboulet (head of Maison Nicolas Perrin founded in 2007) and Guillaume Sorrel along with Alexandre Caso (who together founded Domaine Les Alexandrins in Mercurol in 2009) began working parcel by parcel in Crozes-Hermitage for the wines of Maison Nicolas Perrin. Their shared knowledge of the terroir, of the wines that have marked the history of the Northern Rhone Valley, and their appreciation of the great wines of their region quickly inspired them to go even further.
2014 Nicolas Perrin Ermitage – $99.99 (case of 6) – 92 points Cellar Tracker –
The history of Ermitage is very old and according to a number of books it goes back to the Romans (500 years before Christ). The local legend relates the story of an 18th century knight who, returning from a crusade, built a chapel at the top of a hill and lived there like a hermit, hence the name Ermitage. Returning from a trip to Ermitage in 1787, Thomas Jefferson, the American Ambassador in France, declared his admiration for this white wine “the best wine in the world, with no equal”. His comments on the red wines were just as praising “Full-bodied, dark purple with exquisite flavours…”.
The terroir is made up of 3 vineyards that are complex and varied with granite in parts but also rolled pebbles and calcareous soils. The wines produced in the locality of “Grandes Vignes” where the soils are dominated by granite, have a great minerality. This area represents 30% of the blend. The “Greffieux” are aromatically rich and complex. They correspond to the backbone of the wine and represent 60% of the blend. Finally, the calcareous soil in the locality of “Muret” brings elegance to the wine.
The 2014 vintage had the months of July and August which were particularly cool and wet and slowed down the cycle of the vine. September had sunny weeks, gave optimal maturity to the grapes.
Made from 100% Syrah and Aged in new oak (30%) and in steel (70%) for 15 months.
A dense red-black colour with dark reflections. A very rich and complex nose with notes of slightly over-ripe black fruit (Cassis, blackcurrant), nicely aged, smoky and sweet spice. The mouth is dense and powerful, well-balanced, soft and tight tannins, and an incredibly long and persistent finish. Fresh notes of red and black fruit.
2014 Nicolas Perrin Crozes – Hermitage – $29.99 (case of 12) – 90 points Decanter
Crozes-Hermitage is the biggest vineyard among the Northern Rhône appellations with over 1300 hectares. It is spread over 11 different communes situated in the department of La Drôme on the left bank of the Rhône river.
Also made from 100% Syrah, grapes are cold-macerated before being fermented to increase the aromas of fruit. Ageing takes place in barrels for 10 months and then in stainless steel for another 6 months.
The wine is bursting with fruit aromas and is also present on the palate. It has an almost ‘spicy’ finish and is a great match with grilled meats.
Please contact me directly to order these two spectacular Rhone wines!
Salute!
Joe
416-432-8059
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