Château De La Gardine, Brunel De La Gardine Crozes-Hermitage, 2021
Château De La Gardine, Brunel De La Gardine Crozes-Hermitage, 2021
- Red Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.0%
- Organic
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Syrah
Château de la Gardine is best known for its Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but the Brunel family have been quietly making a compelling case for Crozes-Hermitage too. This is northern Rhône Syrah doing what it does best: serious without being stern, earthy and perfumed in equal measure, with that distinctive combination of dark fruit, cured meat, and stony minerality that sets granite-grown Syrah apart from anything you'll find further south.
The 2021 is a lovely vintage for the northern Rhône — a cooler, more precise year that kept freshness intact and let the Syrah's natural structure speak clearly. We'd open it now with something off the grill, but it has plenty in reserve to reward another three to five years in the rack.
- ❖ ABV: 13.0%
Grapes
Syrah
Vintage report
The 2021 growing season across the Southern Rhône was genuinely difficult, and anyone who tells you otherwise is being diplomatic. A cold, wet spring pushed budbreak late and brought persistent disease pressure, with mildew a real concern in the vineyards. Summer eventually delivered warmth, but the heat was uneven and growers had to pick their moments carefully at harvest. Those who were patient and selective — sorting rigorously, discarding compromised fruit — were rewarded. Those who weren't, less so. It was a vintage that separated the careful from the complacent.
What emerged from the better estates is genuinely exciting: wines with a freshness and definition that the Southern Rhône doesn't always produce in warmer years. Grenache kept its perfume and lift rather than tipping into jam, and the naturally higher-acid varieties like Mourvèdre and Syrah added real backbone. These aren't blockbusters — they're precise, energetic wines that drink well now but have the structure to reward another five to eight years in the cellar. For a region sometimes accused of making wines that flatter early and fade fast, 2021 is a welcome counterargument.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby-purple, dense at the core with a clean, bright rim.
NoseDark plum and blackberry with a distinctive lift of smoked meat and violet. There's a stony, almost flinty quality underneath, and a gentle dusting of white pepper that marks this out as proper northern Rhône Syrah.
PalateMedium to full-bodied with firm, well-integrated tannins and good freshness — the hallmark of 2021 in the Rhône. The fruit is focused rather than exuberant: dark cherry, olive tapenade, and a savoury, mineral backbone that gives the wine real definition.
FinishLong and savoury, with lingering pepper and a clean mineral note that keeps things lively.
Overall impressionA precise, characterful Crozes from a cooler vintage — built for the table, not the trophy cabinet.
Food Pairings
In the northern Rhône, this style of Syrah is made for the kind of food that takes time to prepare. Locals would reach for it alongside daube d'agneau — a slow-braised lamb with olives and herbs — or a thick saucisson de Lyon with cornichons and good bread. Grilled duck breast with a lentil and lardon salad is a classic match, as is a côte de boeuf cooked over vine cuttings, a tradition very much alive in the region. A plate of aged Comté would also do nicely.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at around 16-17°C — cool enough to keep the freshness but warm enough to open up the aromatics. A 30-minute decant will help at this stage of its life, softening the tannins and coaxing out the violet and smoky notes. Use a generous, wide-bowled red wine glass — a classic Burgundy or large Rhône-style glass works well and gives the wine room to breathe.
Crozes-Hermitage surrounds the famous hill of Hermitage on three sides, with the best sites sitting on decomposed granite and sandy soils to the north and east of the appellation. These granite-based soils drain well and force the vine to work, producing Syrah with a mineral, almost stony character beneath the fruit. The continental climate here — cold winters, warm summers, and the drying force of the Mistral — concentrates flavour while preserving the natural acidity that keeps the wines fresh and age-worthy.
Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the northern Rhône, covering around 1,700 hectares compared to the mere 136 of Hermitage itself. It produces exclusively Syrah for reds — with Marsanne and Roussanne permitted for whites — and at its best delivers wines with real Rhône character at a fraction of the price of its famous neighbour. Quality varies considerably across the appellation given the diversity of soils and aspects, but the top producers consistently make wines that punch above their weight. Think of it as Hermitage's more accessible, approachable sibling — same DNA, less of the waiting.
The 2021 growing season across the Southern Rhône was genuinely difficult, and anyone who tells you otherwise is being diplomatic. A cold, wet spring pushed budbreak late and brought persistent disease pressure, with mildew a real concern in the vineyards. Summer eventually delivered warmth, but the heat was uneven and growers had to pick their moments carefully at harvest. Those who were patient and selective — sorting rigorously, discarding compromised fruit — were rewarded. Those who weren't, less so. It was a vintage that separated the careful from the complacent.
What emerged from the better estates is genuinely exciting: wines with a freshness and definition that the Southern Rhône doesn't always produce in warmer years. Grenache kept its perfume and lift rather than tipping into jam, and the naturally higher-acid varieties like Mourvèdre and Syrah added real backbone. These aren't blockbusters — they're precise, energetic wines that drink well now but have the structure to reward another five to eight years in the cellar. For a region sometimes accused of making wines that flatter early and fade fast, 2021 is a welcome counterargument.
FAQs
What does Brunel de la Gardine Crozes-Hermitage taste like?
It's classic northern Rhône Syrah: dark plum and blackberry with smoked meat, violet, white pepper, and a stony mineral finish. The 2021 vintage brings extra precision and freshness, making it lively and focused rather than rich and heavy.
When should I drink the 2021 vintage?
It's drinking well now and will continue to do so until around 2033. There's no need to cellar it for years, though a couple more will add further complexity. If you're opening a bottle tonight, give it 30 minutes in a decanter first.
What food works best with this wine?
Think hearty, savoury dishes: slow-braised lamb, duck breast, grilled beef, or charcuterie. Aged hard cheeses like Comté are also a great match. This is a wine that wants food — it's not really a solo sipper.
Is Crozes-Hermitage worth cellaring?
Good Crozes-Hermitage can age well, but it's not Hermitage — the best examples reward five to eight years rather than decades. The 2021 has the structure to develop nicely until around 2033, after which freshness may start to fade.
How does this compare to Hermitage itself?
Hermitage is more concentrated, more mineral, and considerably more age-worthy — and considerably more expensive. Crozes-Hermitage is the same grape on similar soils but with less intensity and more approachability. Think of it as the more generous, earlier-drinking cousin. For everyday Rhône Syrah at a fair price, Crozes is hard to beat.
Who makes this wine?
The Brunel family of Château de la Gardine, a well-regarded Châteauneuf-du-Pape estate. The Brunel de la Gardine label is their northern Rhône range, applying the same quality-focused approach to Crozes-Hermitage Syrah.
Want to know more?
Discuss your requirements with our account managers, Jeremy & Jen
-
Personal Service
- Our team are always on hand to support you, taking orders online, by phone or email & responding to urgent requests.
- Our efficient warehouse & team of drivers always go the extra mile to deliver our wines to you.
- Our new, high-capacity warehouse ensures excellent availability of wines.
- Our new enterprise platform means hassle-free service, from inventory to billing.
-
Our Sales Team
Speak to one of our teamJeremy Cowan
After managing his own stores and a further stint in independent retail, Jeremy has dedicated 12 years to trade sales in the North West.
Jen Neilan
Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.