Domaine des Remizières: The Northern Rhône Whisperer

There’s something about Northern Rhône that unites wine lovers. It’s a small region—only about 2,836 hectares—along the northern part of the Rhône river, and most production is centered around just one red grape, Syrah, though Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne do make considerable contributions. These happen to present perfect conditions to really understand terroir, that is, how different places can affect the same grape’s profile in the final wine. Syrah is a notoriously terroir-sensitive grape, meaning one that changes based on where it’s grown, showing different nuance and characteristics depending on how much sun it gets, what kind of soil it is exposed to, how often the Mistral wind blows through. It is to Syrah lovers what Burgundy is to Pinot lovers: an intellectual playground for the grape.

But, like Burgundy, it can be pricey. Hillsides are incredibly steep, often requiring harvesting by hand, and quantities are small. So it’s not an understatement to say that our direct import winemakers are diamonds in the rough. Each year, we send our Rhône Buyer, Keith Mabry, out on the road to scout the brightest under-the-radar stars that we can bring to you directly at the best prices possible. It’s not an understatement to say it’s a big deal that we can bring you a Crozes-Hermitage as sumptuous and rich as the 2022 Domaine des Remizières "Origine" Crozes-Hermitage $19.99 for under $20!

The Desmeures family of Domaine des Remizières are third-generation winemakers who used to sell grapes to the local cooperative, but now bottle their own wines ever since building their winery in 1974—which is lucky for us thirsty Northern Rhône lovers. The estate is now managed by Phillipe Desmeures, his daughter Emilie, and son Christophe. They have expanded to 30 hectares with vineyards in Crozes-Hermitage, St-Joseph, and Hermitage. Emilie now oversees the winemaking with Christophe tending to the vineyards. Jeb Dunnuck of Wine Advocate proclaimed, "This estate needs to be on every reader’s short list." He gave their 2022 Domaine des Remizières "Cuvée Emilie" Hermitage $59.99 94-96 points, saying: “I loved the 2022 Hermitage Cuvée Emilie, a pure, full-bodied, concentrated Hermitage revealing gorgeous crème de cassis, graphite, burning ember, and spicy oak-driven aromatics. Offering polished tannins, a great mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish, it's going to shine with just a few years of bottle age yet evolve for two decades.” The wine is 100% Syrah with fruit coming from two sites: Les Grandes Vignes, with vines averaging 40 years of age planted on granitic soils; and Les Rocoules, with vines over 80 years of age planted on alluvial soils. It is fermented in large oak vats and ages in new oak barrels for 15-18 months.

Their whole lineup is excellent. Here are a few more to check out:

2022 Domaine des Remizières "Cuvée Christophe" Crozes-Hermitage $29.99 91-93JD 90-93VN The Cuvée Christophe is 100% Syrah from the predominantly limestone-based soils in their holdings. The grapes are destemmed and fermented in large oak tanks and the wine is aged in a mix of new and used oak barrels. It is full-bodied and inky in profile, deep and weighty on the palate and it has incredible, earthy depth and classic smoky pepper notes to round out its deep cassis fruit. Although this varietal can sometimes present a rather tannic front, Domaine des Remizières does an excellent job here, integrating and managing the tannin perfectly.

2021 Domaine Les Rémizières Cornas $39.99 The Cornas actually comes from a parcel owned by Christophe's wife's family. It is in the hallowed lieu-dit of Reynard, one of the most sought-after parcels in the appellation. Aged in a mix of first- and second-use oak barrels for about a year, the wine has a saturated color, rich body, and long expansive flavors. A true collectible from this region.

2022 Domaine des Remizières "Cuvée Emilie" Hermitage Blanc $59.99 94VN 93JD 97% Marsanne with 3% Roussanne planted in the Maison Blanche lieu-dit over clay-limestone soils. The wine is barrel fermented and aged in barrique (about 60% new) for 10 months or so. Crunchy white peach, ripe melon, honey, lemon zest, white blossoms, and a subtle toastiness. Pure elegance, this would go so well with an aged Gouda or a sheep cheese like Ossau-Iraty.

2022 Domaine des Remizières "Cuvée Christophe" Crozes-Hermitage Blanc $29.99 92JD 85% Marsanne and 15% Roussanne that aged 9 months in 30% new and 70% seasoned oak barrels. Meyer lemon, bouquet garni, and chamomile. Rich and medium-plus-bodied with light dusting of baking spices and a kiss of vanilla. Another example of pure elegance and class that we’ve come to expect from Domaine des Remizières. Pair with a simple sheet pan dinner of roast lemon chicken with leeks, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes.