Domaine Belle Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Louis Belle 2018

Category:
 
Red Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
Red Wines
Producer:
 
Domaine Belle
Label Name:
 
Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Louis Belle
Vintage:
 
2018
Country:
 
France
Region:
 
Crozes-Hermitage (Northern Rhône)
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
14.5%
Grape(s):
 
Syrah (100%)
Acidity:
 
4
Tannins:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
4
Best Temperature:
 
16-18°C

Awards/Ratings
Wine Advocate: 94 pts (May 2021); Vinous: 92 pts (Dec 2022); Jeb Dunnuck/Wine Advocate range noted 91–94 in professional reviews

Tasting Note
Deep purple; concentrated black and blue fruits (blackberry, plum), licorice, cracked pepper and violet floral notes, supported by toasty oak, smoky bacon and olive. Full-bodied, rich mid-palate, ripe dusty tannins and a long, savory finish.

Food Pairing
Western: grilled lamb chops, roast beef, braised short ribs, aged cheddar. Asian: Korean BBQ (bulgogi/grilled beef), Szechuan pepper beef, Cantonese char siu, yakitori with tare sauce.

Production Method
Organic-certified vines; hand-harvested, partial destemming (~50%), native-yeast fermentation, matured 16–18 months in a mix of new (c.25%) and used oak barrels.

Vineyard Info
Family domaine dating to 18th century; Philippe Belle runs ~25 ha across Crozes-Hermitage/Hermitage, organic certified (2014). Cuvée Louis Belle from old Syrah vines (20–100 years).