Northern Rhône Syrah in Boulder.
Granite-grown Syrah from Côte-Rôtie, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes, and Cornas — cool-climate restraint, smoke and violet, real cellar life.
The reference point for serious Syrah.
Northern Rhône is the original home of Syrah, and the wines made here remain the reference point against which every other Syrah in the world is measured. The appellations sit in a narrow corridor along the Rhône River north of Valence — Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Cornas, Saint-Péray. The vineyards are steep, terraced, granite-rich, and farmed mostly by hand because the slopes will not accept machines.
What you get in the glass is something California Syrah and Australian Shiraz cannot match: cool-climate fruit (red rather than black), bright acid, white pepper, violet, smoke, and a granite-driven mineral finish. The wines are concentrated but never heavy. They reward food and they reward patience.
Traditional and new-generation, side by side.
Domaine Jamet — the reference estate for traditional Côte-Rôtie. Whole-cluster fermentation, schist and granite parcels across the Côte Brune and Côte Blonde. The 2020 is one of the most age-worthy wines in this category at any price.
Domaine Faury — Saint-Joseph from Chavanay at the northern edge of the appellation. Lionel Faury runs the estate with whole-cluster restraint and minimal extraction. The bottle to introduce someone to Northern Rhône. Read the producer profile.
Maxime Graillot — Crozes-Hermitage in the second generation. Polished but never tame, with the wild open-knit character that defines Crozes at its best.
Vincent Paris — Cornas from steep granite. The Granit 60 cuvée (60-year-old vines on pure granite) is one of the most exciting Syrah releases of the decade. Read the producer profile.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné — the Hermitage La Chapelle. A historic estate making wine from the granite hill of Hermitage since the 1800s.
A short progression for someone new to the category.
1. A Crozes-Hermitage to learn the regional fingerprint. Maxime Graillot is the best entry point under $60. Open it with a Wednesday-night roast chicken.
2. A Saint-Joseph to step up the granite character. Domaine Faury at $68 is the answer. Open with grilled lamb or a steak with herbs.
3. A Cornas if you want to feel what concentration looks like in this category. Vincent Paris Granit 60 at $115. Drink in 2030 if you can hold it; drink with a serious cut of beef if you cannot.
4. The Holy Trinity (Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Cornas) if you are building a serious Northern Rhône cellar. We can sketch the list with you over a thirty-minute conversation at the shop.
Selected bottles, ready to drink or ready to age.
Domaine Faury Saint-Joseph 2022 — the bottle to introduce someone to Northern Rhône.
Maxime Graillot Crozes-Hermitage 2022 — polished, expressive, ready now.
Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60 2021 — pure granite, 60-year-old vines.
Domaine Jamet Côte-Rôtie 2020 — reference traditional Côte-Rôtie.
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle 2019 — the historic Hermitage cuvée.
Browse the full Northern Rhône section in the cellar.
Granite-grown Syrah, ready for serious dinner conversation.
A short conversation gets us to the right bottle. Visit the cellar or call 303-443-6761.