Cave de Tain l'Hermitage is a 540 member co-operative producing over 25% of the appellation's wine. Their manager advises members of the co-operative on pruning, spraying and harvest dates. Cave de Tain prides itself on being one of the few co-operatives in France to age its wines in small oak barrels and it employs a full-time cooper to make barrels.
With continual investment in vinification — stainless steel vats, temperature controls, pneumatic presses, bottling and barrels — Cave de Tain l'Hermitage recently invested 14 million Francs to double their capacity for barrel aging and storage.
Crozes Hermitage
The vineyards that produce Crozes Hermitage Rouge are situated on the left bank of the Northern Rhone, around the slopes of Tain l'Hermitage. This wine was rated 4 Stars by Toronto Life, November 2001. It won Silver Medal, Paris 2000, and the Bronze Medal, International Wine Challenge 1999.
Grape: Syrah.
LCBO # 572230 $16.45
Hermitage "Nobles Rives" Red
Long and classic vatting (20 days). Running off when the wines are warm, directly into French oak barrels. Large part of new French Oak. 18 months maturation in French-oak barrels (225 liters per barrel). Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel and is followed by several rackings.
Grape: Syrah.
