Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps 2018 en Magnum - Emmanuel Darnaud

Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps 2018 en Magnum - Emmanuel Darnaud

 Emmanuel Darnaud

(93 - 95)+/100 Parker

Drink Date : 2020 - 2030

Reviewed by  Joe Czerwinski in 2020 : "After sampling three barrels destined for the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, I'm confident this will be the best vintage of this cuvée Emmanuel Darnaud has yet produced. Masses of blueberries combine easily with black olives and licorice notes in a wine that's full-bodied, rich and concentrated yet also taut and bright on the finish. Crozes Hermitage doesn't get much (if any) better than this."

- Cuvée: "Au fil du temps" - Parcel selection: "Saviaux" terroir - La Roche de Glun

- Vintage: 2018

- Date of harvest : From September 5 to September 18, 2018.

- Grape variety : 100 % Syrah

- Degree: 14.5°.

- Terroir : Glacial alluvium made of rolled pebbles

- Age of the vines: More than 35 years old

- Cultivation: Worked soils, hand-picked grapes.

- Vinification / Maturing: All parcels are vinified in vats (lasting 15 days) and aged separately (barrels or demi-muids - lasting 18 months). We note 20 % of whole harvests on this vintage.

- Colour: Dark and intense. Purple colour with purple tints

- Nose : The nose is powerful and charming marked by spices and black fruits; blackcurrant, blackberry, clove, undergrowth and a hint of graphite (pencil lead).

- Palate : The mouth is unctuous, fleshy and of great volume. The tannins underline the delicate substance and give this wine great richness. Very long on the palate

- Food and wine pairing: The juice and the flesh of this wine, require cooking with texture, substance and taste: Shoulder of Lamb confit with anchovies, tomatoes confit with thyme, pan-roasted duck breast cooked on the skin, some black cherries in juice and fine purée of vitelotte (purple potato) or Brillat savarin matured

- Keeping potential : This wine can be enjoyed now if it is opened 2 hours before serving or if it is decanted. Otherwise, it should be kept for at least 5 years.