2018 Gilles Robin Crozes-Hermitage Alberic, Northern Rhone Valley

Produced from vines in 3 sites averaging more than 40 years old located on the best red clay soils close to the Hermitage hill.

Scents of cracked pepper and mint emerge on the nose of the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Alberic. (Longtime fans of this fine domaine will note that the names of the various cuvées have been shortened.) Backed by vibrant blackberry and blueberry, this is a medium to full-bodied, silky-textured offering that displays ample length and freshness on the finish.

92 points Joe Czerwinski roertparker.com May 2021

The Robin family have grown grapes in Crozes-Hermitage for four generations, the first vineyard a 1.27 ha plot acquired by Gilles’ great-grandfather Louis Pasquion in 1920. But until 1995 the production was substantially sold to the local cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage. When Gilles took over from his father Michel in 1996 however, he set the estate on a new course, bottling his first wines under the Gilles Robin label. More than 25 vintages later he is widely regarded as one of the top producers of the region.

‘Since 2015, the Northern Rhône has seen a string of very good to great vintages. At the moment, I’d put 2015 and 2018 in the “great” category.’
Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, December 2019.

In 1996 the estate was just 10 ha and nearly all in Crozes-Hermitage. Today, it has expanded to 22 ha and includes prime holdings in Hermitage, Cornas, St-Joseph and St-Peray, as well as the original vineyards in Crozes. The average age of vines across the estate is now more than 40 years, and this combined with meticulous work in the vineyards brings great concentration and complexity to the finished wines. In 2012 Gilles began working with organic viticulture and today the estate is certified organic.

In the winery, extractions are gentle and slow, often 30 days or more and maturation is in a mix of barriques and demi-muids (< 20% new) for 12 - 24 months. In 2018 all the reds were vinified with 100 % whole bunches.