Domaine Laurent Fayolle, Hermitage Rouges Les Diognières, 2021
Domaine Laurent Fayolle, Hermitage Rouges Les Diognières, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Syrah
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2032
Full-bodied and structured, with flavours of dark fruits, earthy undertones, and a touch of spice, this Hermitage pairs beautifully together with grilled or roasted red meats, such as lamb or beef, and with rich game dishes like venison or duck.
Domaine Laurent Fayolle is a family estate with deep roots in the northern Rhône Valley. Laurent is transforming his 13-hectare domaine into a standout leader within the appellation. With an expanded cellar, he now has the ability to move his wines by gravity, ensuring a gentler, more precise winemaking process. These wines are crafted in a classic, traditional style, reflecting the quality and authenticity of the terroir.
The "Les Diognières" vineyard is situated on the Hermitage hill, one of the most revered sites in the northern Rhône. This location benefits from excellent sun exposure, particularly on its southeast-facing slopes.
What the critics say:
"Checking in at 13% alcohol, the medium-bodied 2021 Hermitage Les Diognières exhales vivid raspberry compote, cloves, wet tea bag, vanilla and blackcurrant aromatics. Structured and complex, this is a delicious 2021, nicely framed by ripe tannins and bright acidity. It should drink well right out of the gate."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with violet highlights, showing the wine's youth and concentration.
NoseVivid raspberry compote leads, followed by blackcurrant and warming cloves. Wet tea leaves add an earthy complexity, whilst vanilla from careful oak use provides subtle background support. The aromatics show remarkable purity and definition for such a young wine.
PalateMedium-bodied yet structured, with the bright acidity that defines the 2021 vintage keeping everything in balance. Ripe tannins frame dark fruit flavours without overwhelming, whilst the wine's 13% alcohol allows the terroir expression to shine through. The integration between fruit, structure, and oak is already impressive.
FinishClean and persistent, with spice notes lingering alongside the fruit and a mineral backbone that speaks to the granite soils.
Overall impressionA beautifully crafted Hermitage that shows both immediate appeal and clear ageing potential.
Food Pairings
In the northern Rhône, this style of Hermitage would traditionally accompany the region's hearty cuisine: côte de bœuf grilled over vine cuttings, wild boar stew with juniper berries, or the local specialty of guinea fowl with chestnuts. The wine's structure and spice make it perfect for game birds like pigeon or duck, often prepared with the same herbs that grow wild on the Hermitage hillsides. Local cheeses such as the creamy Saint-Marcellin or aged Roquefort also pair beautifully, the wine's acidity cutting through rich, pungent flavours whilst its fruit complements the cheese's complexity.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-18°C to allow the wine's aromatics to fully express themselves without the tannins dominating. At this stage, decanting for 30-60 minutes will help integrate the wine's components, though it's approachable straight from the bottle. Use large Burgundy bowls rather than narrow Bordeaux glasses to capture the wine's expressive aromatics. If cellaring, store on its side in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature.
Les Diognières sits on the southeast-facing slopes of the Hermitage hill, benefiting from excellent sun exposure throughout the day. The vineyard's granite and limestone soils, covered with a layer of decomposed granite called 'gore', provide excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the vines during dry periods. This combination of aspect, soil composition, and the hill's unique microclimate creates the ideal conditions for Syrah to develop both power and finesse, with the southeast exposure ensuring full ripeness whilst preserving the wine's natural acidity.
Hermitage represents the pinnacle of northern Rhône winemaking, covering just 137 hectares on a single granite hill overlooking the town of Tain-l'Hermitage. The appellation produces exclusively Syrah for reds, with strict yield limits and quality controls that ensure only the finest expressions reach the market. Hermitage sits above its more famous neighbour Crozes-Hermitage in both altitude and reputation, with wines that command respect for their longevity, complexity, and ability to express the unique character of individual vineyard sites. The hill's diverse soils and exposures create distinct micro-terroirs that producers like Fayolle are increasingly bottling separately.
The 2021 Rhône had drama written all over it from the start. Spring frost knocked back yields across the valley, followed by a wet summer that kept growers on edge about disease pressure. When September finally arrived with warm, dry weather, those who'd managed their vineyards carefully through the challenging months found themselves with concentrated, healthy fruit that ripened beautifully in the sunshine.
What emerged defied the difficult growing season: wines with real energy and freshness, particularly impressive in the Northern Rhône where Syrah shows lovely spice and pepper alongside its dark fruit. The Southern Rhône produced Châteauneuf-du-Papes and Côtes du Rhônes with more restraint than the blockbuster years, but we rather like that - there's a liveliness here that makes them brilliant with food. The reds are drinking well now and will continue to develop until 2030 or beyond for the best cuvées, while the whites - often overlooked but particularly successful this year - are singing right now.
FAQs
What does this Hermitage taste like?
Raspberry compote and blackcurrant with warming spices like cloves, plus earthy complexity from wet tea leaves and subtle vanilla. It's structured but not heavy, with bright acidity keeping everything fresh and vibrant.
When should I drink this wine?
It's approachable now and drinking beautifully, but we think it will reward patience. It should continue improving until 2041, reaching peak complexity around 2032-2038.
What food pairs well with this Hermitage?
Classic matches include grilled or roasted red meats like lamb or beef, rich game dishes such as venison or duck, and strong cheeses. The wine's structure and spice make it particularly good with hearty, flavourful dishes.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve at 16-18°C in large wine glasses to capture the aromatics. Decanting for 30-60 minutes helps integrate the components, though it's enjoyable straight from the bottle.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. This is built for ageing and will develop greater complexity over the next 15 years. The combination of quality fruit, balanced structure, and Hermitage's proven track record makes it an excellent candidate for the cellar.
How does this compare to other Hermitage producers?
Laurent Fayolle represents excellent value in Hermitage, offering the appellation's characteristic power and elegance at a more accessible price point than the most famous names. His modern winemaking techniques and traditional approach create wines with both immediate appeal and serious ageing potential.
OUR GROWERS
Domaine Laurent Fayolle
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