Domaine Les Alexandrins

Delivers Reinvigorated Greatness in the Northern Rh?ne

For those seeking the purest expression of the most prestigious Northern Rh?ne terroirs, the Domaine Les Alexandrins portfolio is guaranteed to please. The celebrated estate revolves around a core of classicism while representing the marked history of the Northern Rh?ne Valley. Beautiful and historic terroirs were the impetus of Domaine Les Alexandrins’ foundation and remain the driving force of the endeavor established by three fateful friends and well-established winegrowers.

Roots Firmly Planted in the Rh?ne Valley

Nicolas Jaboulet is a sixth generation winegrower of the legendary Jaboulet family in Tain l’Hermitage since 1834. Paul Jaboulet was one of the most famous Northern Rh?ne houses, responsible for covetable wines like the 1961 La Chapelle. Notably, Robert Parker described this wine as “one of the three or four greatest red wines I have ever tasted.” Nicolas’ great great great grandfather first planted vines in the renowned La Chapelle vineyard in 1834. The vineyard changed hands from father to son for generations to come, until the Frey family of Bordeaux’s Chateau La Lagune purchased Paul Jaboulet and La Chapelle in 2006.

So, where would the next generation of an illustrious winemaking lineage turn without a family business to helm?

A promising new venture awaited Nicolas. Just a few short years post-acquisition, he joined forces with the formidable Perrin family in the Southern Rh?ne. Together they launched his boutique négociant Maison Nicolas Perrrin, sourcing grapes from the Northern Rh?ne appellations of Hermitage, C?te Rotie, and Saint-Joseph. Later in 2011, they purchased their first plot of Crozes-Hermitage vines, then moved into a winery of their own in 2018.

The stars aligned when Nicolas began working with Guillame Sorrel and Alexandre Caso for his négociant business in 2012. Each brought their own respective Rh?ne winemaking pedigree.

Similar to Jaboulet, Sorrel is also revered in local winemaking lore. His father, Marc Sorrel, is the fourth generation to work the preeminent Le Méal and Les Rocoules vines on Hermitage hill. Whereas Caso is an esteemed specialist in Northern Rh?ne terroirs.

“It happened naturally in the end,” says Nicolas Jaboulet. “We began working with Alexandre Caso and Guillaume Sorrel for our négociant business in 2012, and increasingly felt that we all wanted the same thing, and had the same approach to making pure, fruit-focused and terroir-specific wines.”

Winemaking Philosophy

Equipped with the expertise of several generations before them, these three men set out to produce wine in the truest tradition of the Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph appellations. Accordingly, the estate focuses on few appellations and produces limited quantities. In keeping with methods of their parents, grandparents, and winegrowers of the Northern Rh?ne region, work amongst the vines is completed in a traditional style.

The land is worked manually by hand, parcel by parcel, year round so the earth can breathe and the vines flourish. These techniques coupled with biodynamic practices enable decades-old vines to continue yielding critically acclaimed wines highly anticipated by Rh?ne aficionados each vintage. From Syrah vines over 70 years old in Crozes-Hermitage to 90-year-old vines in Tournon in Saint-Joseph, Domaine Les Alexandrins demonstrates the utmost skill in crafting Northern Rh?ne wines with authenticity, purity, and exceptional beauty.

Crozes-Hermitage

Established as an Appellation d’Origine Contr?lée in 1937, Crozes-Hermitage is situated along the eastern bank of the Rh?ne River around the distinguished Hermitage hill and the town of Tain-l’Hermitage. Vines were first grown here as early as Roman times. The name of the appellation comes from Latin crucem for “cross” or “crossroads,” and heremitagium for “hermitage” or “hermit.” It refers to the hill rising above the Rh?ne River, where knight Henri Gaspard de Stérimberg settled to live as a hermit upon returning from the Albigensian Crusade.

The vines for Domaine Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage grow in a superior four hectare plot in the heart of the appellation around the villages of Chanos Curson, Pont d’Isère, and Roche de Glun. Here, sandy clay soils covered in pebbles produce aromatic, richly concentrated wines enhanced even further through biodiverse farming practices that beckon the very best from grapes. Methods which have allowed centenary vine stocks to withstand the test of time.

Jeb Dunnuck awarded 94 points to the 2018 vintage, describing the Domaine Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage as “well worth seeking out…Its dense purple color is followed by rocking notes of black raspberry fruits, tapenade, ground pepper, and smoked earth. This rich, medium to full-bodied, concentrated Crozes-Hermitage has a wonderful texture, ripe tannins, and a great finish.”

The 2021 Domaine Les Alexandrins Crozes-Hermitage Les Garennes Blanc, only the second vintage produced, led Dunnuck to exclaim, “I continue to be impressed by this estate.” A blend of 60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne, the Crozes-Hermitage Les Garennes Blanc is classic, elegant, and refined, hailing from vineyards near the villages of Pont d’Isère and Beaumont Monteux.

Saint-Joseph

Stretching along much of the west bank of the Northern Rh?ne, Saint-Joseph became an AOC in 1956. The best of Saint-Joseph comes from steep hillside terraces near Tournon dating back to antiquity. Domaine Les Alexandrins’ four hectare Saint-joseph vineyard is located near Tournon-sur-Rh?ne with a superb south/south-east exposure. On average, vines here are 25 years old and grow in granite soils interspersed with pebbles. These consummate characteristics of exposure and terroir develop powerful and beautifully textured Syrah wines which garnered 92+ points from the likes of Wine Advocate, Vinous, and Jeb Dunnuck across multiple vintages.

Northern Rh?ne Wines from Living Legends

Located in Tain l’Hermitage, Domaine Les Alexandrins made a splash with their inaugural vintages and have quickly amassed a cult following for their limited-production Northern Rh?ne wines. Considering the shared knowledge of local terroirs and historic wines of the region, plus family links with those who made the appellation a global sensation, rest assured the best is yet to come from the trio behind Domaine Les Alexandrins. Wise wine enthusiasts should add as many Domaine Les Alexandrins bottles to their cellars while they can.

As told to Decanter, Jaboulet and Sorrel said it best, “These appellations offer some of the best values in French wine, on some of its most exciting terroirs.”