2017 Domaine Les 4 Vents ‘Les 4 Vents' Crozes-Hermitage

Region: Crozes-Hermitage > Rhône > France
Grapes: Syrah
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic, certified biodynamic farming; 30-40 year-old vines on alluvial/limestone/sandy soils; 30% whole cluster fermentation, 3-4 week vinification with the 1st week semi-carbonic maceration, pumping overs every 2-3 days, 1-2 foot cap punchings, aged in neutral 600-litre oak casks 10-12 months; bottled unfined, lightly filtered, <20ppm So2 added; 13% ABV
Winemaker:  Lucie Fourel & Nancy Cellier

Not just one, but two ladies in charge here--Lucie and Nancy. These sisters are a dynamic duo: Lucie was a young vigneronne, who in 2006 took over 3.5 hectares in Crozes-Hermitage from her parents with the idea of making wines from her family’s vineyards under her own new label. 7 years later, her sister Nancy, couldn’t help but join the fun, changing the name to Domaine les 4 Vents which was the name of the Auberge that their great grandparents owned next door to the winery. 

The philosophy of the ladies at Les 4 Vents is inspired by organic farming and low-intervention winemaking. They say, “we are in perpetual search of respecting the environment, our interventions, in the vineyard or in the cellar, aim to accompany the grapes, then the wine, towards its most authentic expression”.

This beautiful Syrah, dark and inky, explodes with blackberry fruit that darkens as it nears the finish, leading into tar, smoke and earth.  There's a lot going on, but thanks to the partial carbo treatment, it feels lifted and light on its feet, with approachable tannins and a refreshingly low (for the region) ABV of 13%.  She drinks easily now, but most definitely has the legs to age for 10-15 years.  The consummate food wine, for earthy, meaty things -- mushrooms, bean stew, roast chicken, or burgers even.