Crozes-Hermitage (15) Domaine Belle

February 21, 2025February 26, 2025 jamiegoode 524 Views crozes-hermitage, Northern Rhone

I met with Valentin Belle (pictured above) of Domaine Belle to taste through some of their wines. This is a family estate created in 1990 in Larnage, in the north of the appellation. They began farming organically in 2008, and began certification in 2014. Originally they had 15 hectares of apricots and 4.5 hectares of vines, but they’ve separated the fruit business from the vineyards, and focused on the latter: they now have 38 hectares. As well as Crozes Hermitage they also have 1.5 hectares on the hill of Hermitage (0.5 ha is white), and also some vines in Saint-Joseph. They also produce some IGP Rolle and Chenin on a limestone terroir.

His grandfather, Louis Belle, was one of the founders of the Cave de Tain in 1933.

Domaine Belle Les Terres Blanches Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2023
70% Marsanne, 30% Roussanne, on 80% loess soils and 20% kaolin soils (these are the white soils in the name). 70% demi muid, 30% steel or concrete. Full and textural with a beautiful mouthfeel. Sleek and stylish showing depth allied to delicacy with lemon and apricot notes. 93/100

Domaine Belle Les Pierelles Crozes-Hermitage Rouge 2022
This is from the south part of the appellation with galets roulés in Mercurol and Pont d’Isère. Ripe, rich, smooth and sweet with some olive and cured meat as well as sleek black fruits. There’s a slight salty edge. Stylish and broad. 93/100

Domaine Belle Cuvée Louis Belle Crozes-Hermitage 2022
From the kaolin soils of Larnage, and gobelet vines that have been trellised. Rich, dense and spice laden with sweet black fruits and some earth and a bit of grip. Roast meat and even some coffee notes, with a hint of oak (25% new). 94/100

+33 (0)4 75 08 24 58
valentin.belle@domainebelle.com
@domainebelle

CROZES-HERMITAGE

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