2013 Domaine des Remizi̬res "Cuv̩e Christophe" Crozes-Hermitage

The 2013 Crozes Hermitage Cuv̩e Christophe should be in the same ballpark as the 2014 (which shows just how good the 2014 is, as 2014 is a much more difficult vintage for Crozes Hermitage). Possessing a touch of modern sheen in its graphite, black raspberry and crushed violet bouquet, this beauty hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a tight, focused, yet gorgeously pure texture and good, maybe not great levels of concentration. It‰۪s still a touch backwards and reticent, and my money is on it benefiting from a year or three in the cellar, and drinking nicely through 2023. Like the 2014, it was completely destemmed and aged in 70% new French oak and 30% in once used barrels. 90+ (JD)