2018 Alain Graillot, Hermitage

Alain Graillot’s rare Hermitage, sourced from a 0.1-hectare parcel in the Greffieux lieu-dit, represents a technical pivot from the estate’s signature whole-cluster philosophy, opting instead for 100% destemmed fruit and traditional pigeage by foot. Anchored in organic viticulture and low yields, this bottling articulates the broader, clay-inflected granite profile of the lower slopes, yielding a Syrah with notable structural breadth and muscularity. In the warm 2018 vintage, the family managed the year’s high physiological ripeness through a disciplined aging regimen in seasoned Burgundy barrels, tempering the fruit's natural density with a firm, savory framework. The palate is defined by architectural, fine-grained tannins and a lifted mid-palate that maintains its equilibrium despite the solar conditions of the growing season. The final result is a structurally focused expression of Northern Rhône Syrah, balancing the generosity of 2018 with the saline-inflected grip of classical winemaking.