For the Best Values in the Rhône, Buy Wine From These 2 Regions

The top red wine appellations of the Northern Rhône, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie, are prohibitively expensive for most wine buyers. But stellar bottles can be had from Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph at fair prices, and these two appellations are where sommeliers often look when they are trying to find alternatives to the superstar northern Rhône names.

Regardless of appellation, the red grape of the northern Rhône is Syrah: powerful, dark, spicy, and intense. Crozes-Hermitage is the larger of the two appellations, almost double the size of Saint-Joseph. Speaking very generally, the wines of Crozes-Hermitage are a little more fruit-driven and approachable than those of Saint-Joseph, which tend to be more structured, tannic, and stony. But in both appellations, the quality of the producer is the crucial question. 

To get to know the lesser-known appellations of the Northern Rhône, start with these 7 excellent wines from Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph.

2022 Maison Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage ($29)

This partnership among three Rhône winegrowers, Nicolas Jaboulet, Guillaume Sorrel, and Alexandre Caso, has seen its reputation quickly rise since it was founded in 2015. This powerful red, full of lasting black currant–blackberry flavors and soft, mouth-coating tannins, makes it clear why.

2020 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage ($36)

For Philippe Guigal, third-generation winemaker of Rhône powerhouse E. Guigal, this wine “highlights the freshness of northern Rhône Syrah.” It’s a polished, crisp red, lightly spicy and finely balanced, its blackberry flavors highlighted by hints of white pepper.

2021 Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage ($49)

Alain Graillot played a vital role in restoring the fame of Crozes-Hermitage in the 1980s. Now his sons, Antoine and Maxime, continue his legacy. Expressive and savory in a way suggesting green peppercorns and dried herbs, this is a truly impressive Rhône Syrah.

2020 Delas Domaine des Grands Chemins Crozes-Hermitage ($49)

Often, Crozes-Hermitage only passingly echoes the grandeur of Hermitage itself. But this cuvée, with its polished power; deep, dark fruit character; and savory layers of leather, wet ink, and wild herb notes, effortlessly justifies the comparison.

2021 Paul Jaboulet AÎné Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage ($50)

Domaine de Thalabert, the oldest vineyard in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation, has been the property of Jaboulet since 1834. This red, from 50- to 90-year-old vines, is full-bodied and structured, its blackberry fruit accented by hints of licorice, earth, and lavender.

2021 Domaine Coursodon L’Olivaie Saint-Joseph ($60)

Beautifully fragrant, with aromas suggesting blackberry liqueur, mint, and violets, this Syrah from a fourth-generation Saint-Joseph producer is plush up front, then ends more austere and mineral-driven. You could age it. But why? It’s just too good to resist right now.

2021 Julien Cecillon Saint-Joseph Babylone ($45)

Rising star Julien Cecillon was born in the Rhône, but left for a job in banking. “But after a couple of years of working in the banking industry, I realized I was just depressed every time I went to work; I was pissed off about what I was doing, and what they were asking me to do. So I quit,” he says.

Luckily for wine-lovers, he came back to the Rhône, where he now makes wines like this smoky, savory, polished red. It comes from old-vine parcels, some more than a century old.