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, since 2013 Gilles has worked with an optical sorting table for the harvest and 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 years with large clay amphora notable in the cellar and 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)
Made from 100% Syrah from vines planted in the red stony clay soils of Les Chassis peppered with galets roulés (pudding stones) planted in 1996. 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.

Reviews for the 2020 vintage:
‘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
The Albéric Red Crozes-Hermitage comes from old vines, approximately 70 years old, from three parcels on red clay soils Les Chassis close to the famed Hill of Hermitage. The fruit is de-stemmed and crushed to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation over about 20 days. Extraction is by both remontage (pumping over) and pipeage (plunging) depending on the vintage and character of the fruit. Towards the end of ferment the wine is racked to oak barrels (30 % new) for the malolactic conversion, followed by 12-14 months maturation.

‘This cuvée was first produced in 1996. It pays tribute to my grandfather, Albéric Bouvet, who passed on his passion for wine to me.’ Gilles Robin.

dark red; plum fruit, rose-floral airs, a nose with a genuine N Rhône Syrah aroma. The palate is well made, fits well together, has a flavour of intense red berry, raspberry coulis, red fruit gums, cooked fruits, has sure length, late salting. It actually gains reduction after 90 minutes! 13°. 2033-35 Oct 2024 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 the 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
Less than 3000 bottles produced from vines planted in 1972 on the lieu-dit Les Vercandières, at the foot of Les Bessards, where Gilles does all the vineyard work himself. The fruit is de-stemmed, followed by a 21-25 day vinification and then 24 months elevage in four French oak demi-muids. Bottled un-fined and unfiltered. 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. A superb representation for this great vineyard. Just a few cases available for Australia.

Review for 2020 vintage: ‘dark red; the nose is careful, promising, with good clarity in its red fruit aroma, a note of iron oxide, damson plums, an interesting combination. The palate gives a stylish, good flow, has pedigree in its feel, style in the tannins. It is another confirmation of how good the 2020 vintage is at Hermitage. The balance is good, and it’s well knit, harmonious, is more refined than 2019, superior. It lengthens well on fine juice, has grace, even from its lowly terroir, is fresh. Decant it. From 2025. 2042-44 Apr 2022’ ****(*) 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.

NEW WINES and new vintages - coming in first half of 2026

2023 Hermitage BLANC
100% Marsanne from vines around 40 years old planted in the pale sandy clay-chalk soil of lieu-dit Les Diognières. Hand harvested and after pressing and taking the heart of the pressings the juice was fermented for 20 days in stainless steel at low temperature to retain aromatics then given elevage for 12 months in 2 new 228 litre barrels made by Tonnellerie Montgillard. Just 600 bottles produced and only in 2023 as Gilles was not able to secure this fruit contract for following vintages. Shows lovely weight texture and freshness (13.5%) with a long powerful finish and very good clear fruit on the back palate which will build with more time in the bottle. Very youthful and clear fruit giving this wine the potential to age greacefully for 10 years or more. Whilst the hill of Hermitage is considered to be granitic for the most part it is worth noting that this eastern section contains the lieu-dits that are most famous for the white wines of Hermitage with Les Rocoules above Les Diognières and Maison Blanche just above Les Rocoules. These 3 lieu-dits being among the best known for white Hermitage which can age exceptionally well.

2024 vintage - “Everything is so clean and fresh in 2024” quotes Gilles who notes that his region missed the deluge of rain that affected other parts of France in 2024.

2024 Crozes-Hermitage BLANC Les Marelles
60% Roussanne and 40% Marsanne from 1 ha of vines aged from 10 years up to 40 years old from the lieu-dits of Monico and Terres Rouges close to the winery in Les Chassis. Hand harvested and fermented for 20 days in stainless steeel at low temperature to retain maximum freshness and aromatics. Marsanne was aged for 6 months in barriques and Roussanne aged in stainless steel before blending both varieties and ageing for a few more months on fine lees before bottling. Just 4000 bottles produced this wine sows lovely bright clear peachy orchard fruit with a spine of bright acid bringing shape and length making this extremely attractive to enjoy now and for the next few years. A very clear winner.

2024 Saint Joseph BLANC Petite Pierre
70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne from a tiny 0.4 ha of south facing vines planted very high up at 450 metres on steep granitic soil above Tournon in the prime part of the original Saint Joseph appellation just north of Mauves. Just 2000 bottles produced. This shows freshness (13%) intensity and precision making this very attractive drinkig now and for the next few years.

2024 Crozes-Hermitage rouge Papillon (à Léonie et Lucie)
Made from 100% Syrah from vines planted in the red stony clay soils of Les Chassis peppered with galets roulés (pudding stones) planted in 1996. Here the soil is rich with iron in the deep red soil. Hand harvested and 100% de-stemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks (large clay amphora will be used for ageing in coming vintages). The stainless steel tanks have an in-built system enabling the cap to be held down and juicy gently circulated in the tank giving excellent note-worthy texture to the wine after just 8 months ageing in tank. Very fine silky tannins and bright perfumed Syrah making this immediately enjoyable with just 13% alc and Gilles recommends serving this at 16c. A fresh style of Syrah made to be enjoyed fresh and young.
The Crozes-Hermitage Papillon red, is an immediate, well fruited wine for young consumption, carrying floral and spiced interest: ideal with steak-frites or spaghetti Bolognese, for example.
John Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com

2024 Crozes-Hermitage Albéric
Gilles describes 2024 vintage of this wine as “more Burgundy in style“ with softer tannins and a fine fresh texture making this vintage very approachable and enjoyable young. Very well balanced in 2024 with good freshness and concentration weighing in at just 13% alc in 2024. The Albéric Red Crozes-Hermitage comes from old vines, approximately 70 years old, from three parcels on red clay soils, 50% from Les Chassis, 30% from Les Chênes Verts, 20% from Mercurol, just south of the famed Hill of Hermitage. The fruit is partially de-stemmed and crushed to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation over about 20 days. Extraction is by both remontage (pumping over) and pipeage (plunging) depending on the vintage and character of the fruit. Towards the end of ferment the wine is racked to oak barrels (30 % new) for the malolactic conversion, followed by 12 months maturation bottled unfined and unfiltered.

2023 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 400 metres 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 2023. 100% whole bunch fermentation in 2023 with cap punching by foot and aged in one new 228 litre and two 500 litre barrels for 12-14 months. Just 2000 bottles produced in 2023 vintage. Tiny production and we have managed to secure just a few cases for Australia so these won’t last long. 14%

2023 Hermitage
Less than 3000 bottles produced from vines planted in 1972 on the lieu-dit Les Vercandières, at the foot of Les Bessards, where Gilles does all the vineyard work himself. Granite soil and sand blended with clay from the Rhone river. I was expecting a big and powerful wine however the fine tannins have produced a wine of exceptional finesse and elegance. Outstanding.