2008 Crôzes-Hermitage, Cuvée Les Galets, Domaine Des Hauts Chassis

This is such an archetype of quality Crozes-Hermitage wine that all other examples will have to be marked alongside it on the bench. Tapenade, blackberry, hints of violet, black pepper and wood smoke… it’s all there, and all perfectly balanced. We are delighted that M. Faugier has had the confidence to stop selling grapes to a prestigious négociant, and started to make wine himself.

Frank Faugieris a vigneron of the old school, only modestly successful at self-promotion. He used to sell all his grapes to the local co-operative and also to a certain M Jaboulet. This was a shame, because the location of the vines means that the grapes are inevitably of superior quality. Now he makes his own wine from his own grapes and the results are impressive indeed.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)