From: Northern Rhône, France
Varietal: Syrah
Taste: Upon pouring, the wine showcases vibrant dark purple and ruby hues. The intoxicating aromas of boysenberry, huckleberry, Damson plum, and black cherry waft through the air, quickly followed by candied violets, baking spice, fresh pepper, and olive pit notes. The taste is voluminous, with sweet blackberry fruit, licorice, game, and a firm, lovely tannic structure.
This Crozes-Hermitage is a classic example of Northern Rhône Syrah, with its concentration and flavors of cracked pepper, leather, black fruit, and spices. It exudes smoky notes, and smooth tannins, leaving a lingering taste of dry herbs. Elegantly rustic in style due to its unfiltered and unfined nature, this wine pairs perfectly with red meat, cured meat, or BBQ.
Pairing: The 2019 Etienne Becheras Le Prieure d'Arras Crozes-Hermitage is your companion for a night of indulgence and comfort. With its sumptuous layers of black fruits, spices, and earthy notes, this wine deserves to be paired with food that reflects its complexity and robustness. With Northern Rhône Syrah being a bit of a splurge, the food it accompanies should be simple, heartwarming, and rich.
One perfect pairing is Cassoulet, a rich casserole from southern France with pork, duck, goose, and white beans. This dish's earthiness and meaty richness perfectly complement the earthy qualities and tannins of the Crozes-Hermitage.
Another excellent option is Beef Short Ribs Braised in Red Wine and Herbs. The wine's herbaceous quality becomes magnified with the tarragon, rosemary, fennel seed, dried sage, thyme, and basil in the dish. The wine's tannins cut through the short ribs' fattiness wonderfully.
For an exotic twist, Moroccan Lamb Barbecue with spices like cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and ginger resonates with the wine's spice and mineral notes. The lamb's grilled flavors play with the smoky notes of the wine.
A classic Beef Stew is not to be underestimated when paired with this Northern Rhône Syrah. The simplicity of beef, onions, tomatoes, carrots, red wine, and Herbes de Provence works wonders harmoniously with the wine's full body and flavors.
Lastly, a delectable Smoked Duck Breast served with Potato Cake, and/or Duck Confit with Potato Cake is a match made in heaven (recipes below). The duck's smokiness and the potato cake's earthiness reflects in the wine as well, creating an elegant balance.
Further options include Beef Bourguignon, Grilled Rib Steak, Rabbit in Mushroom and Wine Sauce, Rack of Lamb, Brochettes, Prime Rib, Ribs, Flank Steaks, Chicken Tajine, and Pot au Feu Beef and Vegetable Stew. Each of these dishes, with its depth of flavors and textures, enhances and is elevated by the complex character of the 2019 Etienne Becheras Le Prieure d'Arras Crozes-Hermitage.
Easy Duck ConfitBy Melissa Clark
Crisp Potato Cake (Galette de Pomme de Terre)By Harold McGee
About. A treasure trove of nature's bounty lies in the quaint village of Arras, nestled along the Rhône River's western bank. Here in Arras, the passionate farmer and craftsman Etienne Becheras cultivates his 12-hectare polycultural domaine. With vineyards sharing the land with apricot and cherry trees, and forests home to ash and acacia trees, the domaine is an oasis of organic farming.
The pièce de résistance of the Becheras domaine is the exquisite wine produced from its four hectares of vineyards. Three and a half hectares of these are dedicated to the luscious Syrah, with the remaining 4/10ths of a hectare accommodating the white grapes of Marsanne and Roussanne. Positioned on terraces along steep hillsides with limestone and gravel soils, the vineyards are meticulously maintained by hand due to the unfeasible terrain for machinery. This intimate approach is part of what makes the wine from Becheras' vineyards so exceptional.
The 2019 vintage of Etienne Becheras' Crozes-Hermitage epitomizes the craftsmanship that goes into each bottle of wine produced in this polycultural paradise.
A Glimpse into the Region
Crozes-Hermitage, the Northern Rhône's largest appellation, is famed for its Syrahs. With a unique terroir, rich in clay-limestone and alluvial matter, this appellation produces Syrahs characterized by their fruitiness and seductiveness. While the wines here are typically less intense than their Hermitage counterparts, they possess a charm that is distinctly their own.
The 2019 Etienne Becheras Crozes-Hermitage
Etienne Becheras's 2019 Crozes-Hermitage is a testament to the region's reputation. Produced from old vines on a steep south-southwest-facing hillside overlooking the village of Mercurol, this wine is an experience unto itself. The grapes, harvested manually, are destemmed and undergo fermentation for about three weeks. The wine is then matured in demi-muids (400 to 600 liters) for 18 months before being bottled without fining or filtration.
Mark Osburn, Daily Offers Sommelier, acclaimed, "Most wine professionals would successfully blind (and heartily consume!) Bécheras’ Crozes-Hermitage as top-vintage, top-producer Northern Rhône Syrah 10/10 times.”
A Man of the Earth
Etienne Becheras is not your typical winemaker. With a shaved head, military-grade agricultural attire, and a farmer's rugged build, he is a man of the earth. His handshake, as formidable as his persona, reflects his dedication to his craft. His domaine's polycultural nature, producing not just wine but also fruits, meats, and even construction materials, signifies his devotion to sustainable farming.
