Les Garennes (2023) - Les Alexandrins

“Les Garennes” is a single-plot selection that best expresses the terroir of Crozes-Hermitage. 2023 was a vintage of great balance, with fresh, aromatic wines.​

The appellation: Crozes-Hermitage AOC

AOC Crozes-Hermitage: the elegance of the Northern Rhône Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the northern Rhône Valley, known for its elegant, structured Syrah-based reds and for its refined whites made from Marsanne and Roussanne. Set in the Drôme department, it is an icon of French winemaking tradition, thanks to the diversity of its terroir and the quality of its wines.

What to eat with Les Garennes

Who makes it: Les Alexandrins

Les Alexandrins was born of the union of three wine talents: Guillaume Sorrel, Alexandre Caso and Nicolas Jaboulet, with the aim of enhancing the winemaking heritage of the northern Rhône. Set in the heart of the most prestigious appellations, this winery combines tradition, savoir-faire and authentic expression of the terroir. Les Alexandrins stands out for its craft winemaking, which brings out the purity of the region's typical grape varieties, in particular Syrah and Marsanne.

The vine of Les Garennes

Marsanne

Marsanne is one of the most representative white grape varieties of the northern Rhône Valley. It is grown mainly in the prestigious appellations of Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Péray. Its origin is linked to the town of Marsanne in the Drôme department, and its history has been intertwined with the viticulture of this region for centuries.Marsanne stands out for its ability to produce elegant, long-lived wines that evolve magnificently over time. It is often vinified as a single variety, but in many appellations it is paired with Roussanne, which adds freshness and aromatics. Compared with Roussanne, Marsanne tends to give fuller-bodied wines, with lower acidity and greater structure.From an ampelographic point of view, Marsanne has medium-sized bunches, with thick-skinned, golden-yellow berries. This characteristic makes it ideal for coping with the hot Rhône summers, maintaining a good balance between sugars and acidity.

Roussanne

Roussanne is a white grape variety originally from the Rhône Valley, in France, known for its elegance, complexity and longevity. Used both as a single variety and in blends, above all with Marsanne, it is a key grape in the production of the great white wines of the northern Rhône and the southern Côtes du Rhône. Thanks to its structure and rich aromatic component, Roussanne has also spread to other wine regions, such as California and Italy, where it is prized for its ability to express a unique, refined character.

Les Garennes: the Crozes-Hermitage area

Climate: Continental

Altitude: Low Altitude (0-200 m above sea level)

Soil: Limestone / chalk

Geographical setting: River

Profile of Les Garennes

Primary aromas: White peach, ripe pear, citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and white flowers (acacia, hawthorn)

Secondary aromas: Mineral notes and hints of aromatic herbs

Tertiary aromas: Light toasty and yeasty notes (from ageing on the lees)

Tasting notes: The Crozes-Hermitage Blanc “Les Garennes” 2023 from Domaine Les Alexandrins shows a complex aromatic profile and an elegant structure. On the palate it is fresh and vibrant, with good acidity that balances the richness of the fruit. The finish is long and mineral, with a pleasant saline note.​

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