Delas Crozes Hermitage Le Clos 2015

"The 2015 Crozes Hermitage le Clos is the high-end Crozes bottling from Delas Frères, aged 14-16 months in French oak. Give it some time in the glass to open up if you try one soon, as it's tight and closed at first, gradually developing floral notes and showing more black cherry and blackberry fruit. In the mouth, it's velvety and concentrated, gradually fading on the finish into hints of licorice and black pepper. This medium to full-bodied 100% Syrah drinks well now (with air) but should evolve well for at least another decade."

"More savory, more brooding, darker minerally aromas with dark plum fruits and spicy, toasty oak, too. The palate has an extremely punchy delivery of flavorsome, dark plum fruits. Appealingly ripe and drenched in flavor. Drink now."

A much smaller production cuvée, the 2015 Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos comes from the Les Saviots lieu-dit and is completely destemmed and raised in 30% new barrels. It offers more purity and focus, with terrific notes of blackberries, blueberries, graphite, crushed rocks and spice. Concentrated, tannic, and structured, yet beautifully concentrated, forget bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following decade.