Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

Unearthing the Northern Rhône

The hill of Hermitage

Vines at Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne

Appellations of the Northern Rhône

“After the dizzying number of appellations in the south, the northern Rhône is easy. There are but a handful, including some of France’s noblest: Saint-Péray, Cornas, Saint-Joseph, Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Condrieu, Château Grillet, and Côte-Rôtie. And in contrast to the numerous grape varieties permitted down south, the northern Rhône reds are the result of a single variety, the Syrah. One would think that a blend of grapes could create a more complex range of aromas and flavors than a lone variety, yet the Syrah juice eked out from one of those steep hillsides can produce wines of dazzling complexity, wines whose exotic aromas seem to shimmer and change like the flashes of color gleaming from a jewel.” —Kermit Lynch, Adventures on the Wine Route

The hill of Hermitage

Vines at Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne

Appellations of the Northern Rhône

Unearthing the Northern Rhône

A collection featuring dozens of complex, soulful Syrahs and a smattering of aromatic blancs from our dedicated growers who toil these hallowed slopes.

Barruol / Lynch
Kermit spent years hunting for parcels around Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, and Côte-Rôtie. Thanks to pal Louis Barruol, he realized his grand vision of sourcing the absolute best raw materials, from which he blended this lineup of deep, provocative Syrahs.

Lionel Faury
Lionel’s house style leans in the direction of pure and fresh rather than brawny and brooding—he specializes in elegant reds with fine tannins, ample freshness, and mineral backbone. His ravishing yet refreshing whites feature kaleidoscopic aromatics.

Domaine Gallety
Halfway between the northern and southern Rhône, the Côtes du Vivarais offers the best of both worlds: Domaine Gallety’s rouge features equal parts of both regions’ starring grapes—Syrah and Grenache—and drinks like a sophisticated blend of Crozes-Hermitage with Gigondas.

Domaine Jolivet
Our newest addition to the portfolio, Bastien Jolivet is a young buck in this venerable land of legends. He’s hardworking in the vineyards and magisterial in the cellar, and has made a name for himself bottling terroir-driven Saint-Joseph in both colors from his family’s holdings on the steep granite slopes of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols.

Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne
At this storied family-run domaine in Mauves, Jean-Claude and his two daughters craft textbook northern Rhône Syrahs redolent of tapenade, currants, pepper, and earth, in addition to two gorgeous single variety blancs—a Saint Joseph from pure Marsanne, and a gentle and peachy Viognier.

Wines In The Collection

2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”

Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône

Irresistible notes of black olive, succulent black cherries, and spices

Discount Eligible $82.00

2021 Saint-Joseph <i>Rouge </i> “L’Instinct” Domaine Jolivet

2021 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”

Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône

It is a real-deal northern Rhône roasted-slope Syrah that walks the tightrope perfectly between creamy fruit, meaty tannins, and fresh spine.

Discount Eligible $49.00

SOLD OUT

2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”

Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône

From the classic aromas of graphite, black fruit, and roasted spice, to the total finesse of its tannins, this is Côte-Rôtie at its best.

Discount Eligible $89.00

2020 Hermitage <i>Blanc</i> “La Pierrelle” Barruol / Lynch

2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”

Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône

From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.

Discount Eligible $95.00