2015 Equis by Maxime Graillot, Crozes-Hermitage “Equinoxe” Rhone Red, France.
A pure and beautifully purple Syrah that is an almost quilt free everyday red that delivers outstanding varietal character and terroir in an easy to enjoy form. Maxine Graillot, son of the famed Alain Graillot, has branched out on his own with a wonderful set of wines under his Equis label, making slightly lighter and fresher wines than his dad, but with very similar quality and style, these are non pretentious Crozes-Hermitage 100% Syrah bottlings that kill it for the price! With prices of Saint-Joseph and Cornas soaring these days, if you are looking for values in the northern Rhone, Crozes is your place, especially any of the Graillot family offerings, but also Domaine Combier by Laurent Combier is a winery to check out. The 2015 vintage Maxime Graillot Equis Equinoxe is richly hued and deep with full bodied mouth feel, it flows smoothly with ripe tannins and subtle earthy charm, delivering layers of boysenberry, damson plum, blueberry and black cherry fruit along with hints of camphor/embers, minty herb, liquid violets, white pepper and dusty stones. This is a gracious and dense Syrah, but not heavy, it comes in at 13% alcohol, which just about perfect for the style, allowing for joyous quaffing. Delicately perfumed and vibrant, the balance is exactly what you’d want, it finishes with savory notes, lavender spice and juicy sweet and spicy fruit, not overly serious, but lovely and poised. Drink this one now and often while you can, best from 2017 to 2022, I really dig this Equinoxe 2015, I see lots more in my near future, impressive from Graillot the younger!
($22 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive