Crozes-Hermitage (4) Maison and Domaine Les Alexandrins
This is a domaine whose name has changed a bit. Domaine Alexandrins was first founded by Alexandre Caso and Guillaume Sorrel in 2009. In 2012 they were joined by Nicolas Jaboulet, who previously had founded Maison Nicolas Perrin in 2007. They began working together, but in 2015 Nicolas Jaboulet took a majority share and the name changed to its current Maison et Domaines Les Alexandrins. The name Maison Nicolas Perrin was phased out over a few years.

I met with Alexandre Caso to taste the wines. He’s in charge of production. Nicolas Jaboulet is in charge of the marketing. They have their own vines, and Maison is used for the negoce part. They have all the northern Rhône crus. In January they bought Domaine Michelas Saint Jemms, which doubles their vine holdings. They farm organically (since two years ago). They have 60 hectares now in Crozes-Hermitage. They have a plot in the Thalabert area which makes their best wine. They are still exploring the Michelas terroir because this is a new property, and they will take their time working out what the best plots are.
He says there are two identities to Crozes-Hermitage, north of Tain and then south of Tain. North you have granite soils, and then in the south you get more body, more juicy wines, but you don’t have the granite influence on the wines. The loess and granitic soils bring more freshness to the soils. In the south, the alluvial stones give the wines more concentration and warmth. The northern part has more of a western exposure so it gets the heat in the afternoon and evenings.

Domaine Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Les Garennes 2022
13.5% alcohol. This is 50% Rousanne, 50% Marsanne fermented and aged in older demi-muids. The grapes come from the southern part of the appellation. Textured and grainy with white peach and ripe pear fruit, showing hints of mint and dried herd, as well as a fine, bready, toasty edge. Lovely weight here with some salty hints. Shows richness with restraint. 94/100
Domaine Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Les Garennes 2023
13% alcohol. This has nice brightness, but also some depth. Focused citrus and white peach fruit with a nice acid line, showing rich fruit combined with a sense of freshness. Lovely texture and energy, finishing long. 93/100
Maison Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage 2022
12.5% alcohol. 12 months in wood. Savoury, mineral and multilayered, this shows sweet red cherry and strawberry fruit with some herbal hints. There’s a nice flow across the palate, with the structure balancing the sweet fruit really well. Has some cured meat and pepper character on the finish with some raspberry crunch. 93/100

Domaine Michelas St Jemms Crozes-Hermitage Fleur de Syraline 2023
13% alcohol. Alexandrins blended this wine after buying the domaine. Concrete. Wonderful aromatics with olive tapenade, sweet cherries and plums. The palate is vibrant and juicy with berry fruit and a stony, mineral, peppery edge. Lovely fruit here, finishing with ferrous characters. 93/100

Domaine Les Alexandrins Les Chaflans Crozes-Hermitage 2022
13.5% alcohol. This is in the corner of the Thalabert vineyard that Jaboulet don’t own. 30% of this plot was planted in 1919, the rest has been replanted more recently. There’s a 12-18 month elevage depending on the vintage, and it’s matured mostly in demi muids, 1-3 years old, with some in a tronconic vat. 30% whole bunch. Lovely concentration here with a core of sweet fruit. Well balanced with notes of mint, olive and sweet cherry and raspberry. There’s good concentration here with ripeness, but also balance and elegance. 94/100
CROZES-HERMITAGE
- Chapoutier
- Paul Jaboulet Aîné
- Maison et Domaines Les Alexandrins
- Cave de Tain
- Delas Frères
- Yann Chave
- Luc Tardy/Domaine du Murinais
- Domaine Combier
- Domaine Delhome
- Domaine Pradelle
- Antoine Graillot/ Domaine des Lises/ Domaine Alain Graillot
- Domaine des Hauts Châssis
- Domaine Belle
- Clairmont Cooperative
- Domaine Laurent Fayoll