Gilles Robin

The Robin family have grown grapes in Crozes-Hermitage for four generations, the first vineyard a 1.27 ha plot acquired by Gilles’ great-grandfather Louis Pasquion in 1920. But until 1995 the production was substantially sold to the local cooperative in Tain l'Hermitage. When Gilles took over from his father Michel in 1996 however, he set the estate on a new course, bottling his first wines under the Gilles Robin label. More than 25 vintages later he is widely regarded as one of the top producers of the region.

In 1996 the estate was just 10 ha and nearly all in Crozes-Hermitage. Today, it has expanded to 22 ha and includes prime holdings in Hermitage, Cornas, St-Joseph and St-Peray, as well as the original vineyards in Crozes. The average age of vines across the estate is now more than 40 years, and this combined with meticulous work in the vineyards brings great concentration and complexity to the finished wines. In 2012 Gilles began working with organic viticulture and today the estate is certified organic.

In the winery, extractions are gentle and slow, often 30 days or more and maturation is in a mix of barriques and demi-muids (< 20% new) for 12 - 24 months. From 2019 onwards the reds have been vinified with 100 % whole bunches. There has also been a notable move towards ageing in larger 500+ 600 litre demi-muids in recent year with very few smaller 228 litre barrels in use. So the wines show less oak as a result and greater fruit purity helped by the whole bunch fermentations since 2019 vintage.

2022 Crozes-Hermitage rouge Papillon à Léonie et Lucie
100% Syrah from vines planted in 1996, 100% de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks. An early drinking style driven by perfumed black raspberry fruit with anise and spice notes lingering long on the fresh and vibrant finish. A medium bodied Syrah showing the generosity and typicity of the rich red soils it originates from. Fresh vibrant and gives great pleasure all year round with very fine tannins and a vibrant medium body making this very easy to drink and appreciate.
review for 2020 as 2022 not yet reviewed ‘Brilliant magenta. Spice-accented red and dark berries and fresh flowers on the incisive nose. Offers gently sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors show fine clarity and pick up a succulent herb nuance with aeration. Displays spicy lift and cut on the gently tannic, persistent finish, which features resonating red fruit and spice notes. Drink 2024-2030.’ 91 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2022.

2022 Crozes-Hermitage Albéric (formerly Albéric Bouvet) 750 + 1500m
Produced from vines in 3 sites averaging more than 40 years old located on the best red clay soils close to the Hermitage hill.
reviews for 2021 Darker berries, peppery herbs, and some gamey notes all emerge from the 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Alberic, a medium-bodied, nicely balanced, attractive, complex Crozes-Hermitage that has ripe tannins and a good finish. Brought up in 30% new oak, it doesn't bring a huge amount of depth and richness, yet it’s well made and will certainly scratch a Northern Rhône Syrah itch any time over the coming 4-6 years. Jeb Dunnuck, March 2024
(6 year 228-litre cask) ***(*) steady red robe, OK depth. Has a sweet toned nose, mixes black berries, caramel, has a gummy nature, a hint of reduction. The palate is easy, open, flows soundly, gives red fruits with some late bustle, the length decent, too. It’s approachable, comes with sound filling, the close gently aromatic. It can be drunk quite early, from late 2022, bottling soonish here. 8 years 2) (used 600-litre cask) ***(*) shiny, quite full red; has a curvy, open nose, blackberry fruit, smoke, bacon-lardon with a vegetal hint. The palate is fluid, on a good stream, has greater vivacity than the 228-litre wine, and is more peppery-vegetal late on, a little iron on the aftertaste. Sound quality. From late 2023. 8-9 years. 2030-32 Apr 2022 John Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com, April 2022 

2022 Cornas
From 0.6 ha of 30+ yo vines located at the top of the Cornas hill in the famed lieu-dit of St Pierre. The vineyard is high and cool with granitic soil and ripens up to 2 weeks later than vines situated lower on the slopes, an advantage in a warm vintage like 2022. Partial whole bunch fermentation with cap punching by foot and aged in one new 228 litre and two old 600 litre barrels for 12-14 months. Just 3 barrels produced in a good vintage. Tiny production and we have managed to secure just a few cases for Australia so these won’t last long.
review for 2019 vintage ‘Inky ruby color. Powerfully scented black and blue fruit, violet and exotic spice aromas show fine definition and pick up a touch of smokiness with aeration. Sappy and expansive on the palate, offering intense, mineral-laced blackcurrant, bitter cherry and mulberry flavors that turn sweeter through the back half. Shows sharp definition and spicy lift on a long, floral-accented finish that's framed by well-judged tannins. Drink 2025-2034.’ 93 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2022.

2022 Hermitage rouge
Less than 3000 bottles produced from vines planted in 1972 towards the bottom of the lieu-dit Les Bessards on Les Vercandières. Gilles does all the vineyard work for these vines working organically. The fruit is de-stemmed before a 21-25 day vinification then aging in 2 demi-muids before bottling unfined and unfiltered after 24 months elevage.  This wine is fresh and detailed with old vine intensity expanding on the palate finishing with notable earthy minerality and impressive persistence. Will develop and evolve over a decade or more. Impressively fresh, detailed and intense. A superb representation for this great vineyard. Just a few cases available for Australia.
review for 2019 vintage ’Full, dark red, promising robe; the bouquet has plenty going for it, a meaty, blood-iron tone, with smoked beef, cassis fruit, is not yet developed, can move out well. The palate comes with good, firm richness that persists, holds well, engages properly with a long finish, still incomplete there. It’s a well grounded, true Hermitage, has the vintage depth, works more on strength than refinement, the aftertaste tarry, insistent. 15°. From mid-2024, decant. 2042-44.’ John Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com, April 2022 

2019 Saint Joseph rouge - SOLD OUT
100% Syrah including vines planted in the Saint-Epine lieu-dit, north of Tournon, where the soils are schist and gneiss over granite giving a finer fresher profile than those planted further south on pure granite. Vinified with 100% whole-bunches the resulting wine is more Burgundian with striking floral aromatics and super fine tannins. Pure joy.
‘Deep ruby. Ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet aromas are energized by a spicy cracked pepper flourish. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering smoke- accented dark berry and floral pastille flavors that pick up a mineral nuance as the wine opens up. Shows fine delineation on a long, smooth finish that's framed by subtle, well-knit tannins. These vines are planted in the prized, heavily granitic Saint-Épine lieu-dit, just outside of Tournon. Drink 2024-2032.’ 92 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2022.