Chevalier Crozes Hermitage Rouge Les Voleyses

Chevalier Crozes Hermitage Rouge Les Voleyses is a 100% Syrah red wine from the Crozes-Hermitage appellation in France's Northern Rhône, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from a single 3.5-acre limestone parcel planted in 1986, this expression has earned vintage scores up to 90 points on Wine-Searcher, and Wine Advocate has declared the Chevalier domaine's wines "top-notch."

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Northern Rhône, France  |  Appellation: Crozes-Hermitage  |  Varietal: 100% Syrah  |  Producer: Marlène & Nicolas Chevalier

Production & Heritage

Les Voleyses is produced by siblings Marlène and Nicolas Chevalier from a dedicated limestone-and-pebble parcel near the village of Chanos-Curson in the southern, flatter stretch of the Crozes-Hermitage appellation. The vines, planted in 1986, are sustainably farmed and hand-harvested, then vinified and bottled according to individual parcels to preserve the distinct terroir character of clay and limestone soils. Located where the sun shines more intensely than in the appellation's northern hillside sites, this parcel yields wines that are naturally more opulent and fruit-forward while retaining the floral lift and spice that define Northern Rhône Syrah.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with inviting scents of blackberry and plum before shifting into violets and exotic baking spices. A secondary layer of black currant and fresh raspberry adds brightness and complexity.

Taste: The entry is firm and frank, immediately juicy with ripe dark fruit — blackberry, plum, and cassis dominate the mid-palate. Cracked black pepper and licorice emerge as the wine opens, giving the medium-to-full-bodied palate a savory, meaty dimension. Good underlying sweetness balances the fruit without veering toward heaviness.

Finish: Silky and harmonious, with discreet, well-integrated tannins that feel fine and elegant rather than grippy. A lingering mineral edge and gentle spice carry the wine to a clean, satisfying close.

How to Drink Les Voleyses

Serve at 60–64°F (16–18°C); thirty minutes of decanting will open the aromatics considerably on younger vintages. This Syrah is at its best alongside food, though it stands up well as a glass on its own. Pair it with grilled lamb chops seasoned with herbs de Provence, where the wine's pepper notes mirror the char and herb crust. Beef daube or any slow-braised red-meat stew will match the wine's weight and dark-fruit core. A simple charcuterie board built around cured saucisson and aged Comté draws out the wine's savory, spiced side.

Best For

• Weeknight dinner pairing with grilled or braised meats
• Introducing Northern Rhône Syrah to someone exploring French wine regions
• Building a cellar of terroir-driven, single-parcel wines at an accessible price tier
• Hosting an autumn or winter dinner party centered on hearty French cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Voleyses taste like? Les Voleyses delivers juicy blackberry, plum, and cassis on a medium-to-full-bodied palate accented by cracked black pepper, licorice, and violet florals. The tannins are fine and discreet, leading to a silky finish with a mineral edge.

How does Les Voleyses compare to M. Chapoutier La Sizeranne Hermitage? La Sizeranne is a full Hermitage — typically more concentrated, tannic, and expensive — from the prestigious Hermitage hill across the river. Les Voleyses offers a more open-hearted, fruit-forward expression at the Crozes-Hermitage level, making it earlier-drinking and considerably more accessible in both style and price.

Is Les Voleyses good for beginners exploring Northern Rhône Syrah? Yes — its approachable fruit, silky tannins, and moderate 13% ABV make it an excellent entry point into Northern Rhône Syrah without the tannic austerity that can accompany Hermitage or Cornas.

Where is Les Voleyses made? Les Voleyses is made by Marlène and Nicolas Chevalier in the Crozes-Hermitage appellation of France's Northern Rhône Valley, from a single 3.5-acre limestone parcel near the village of Chanos-Curson.

What foods pair well with Les Voleyses? Grilled lamb with rosemary benefits from the wine's peppery spice; slow-braised beef stew mirrors its dark-fruit weight; duck confit complements the meaty Syrah character; aged hard cheeses like Comté echo the mineral finish; and roasted root vegetables with thyme match its earthy undertones.

What sizes does Les Voleyses come in? Les Voleyses is typically available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Les Voleyses worth the price? Les Voleyses positions as an accessible, terroir-driven Crozes-Hermitage — a category that consistently delivers strong value relative to its more prestigious Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie neighbors. The single-parcel sourcing, sustainable farming, and hand-harvesting add quality markers uncommon at this price tier.

Why Les Voleyses?

What separates this wine from the broader Crozes-Hermitage field is its single-parcel identity: the Les Voleyses vineyard, with nearly four decades of vine age on limestone soils, produces fruit with a concentration and mineral signature that many blended cuvées in the appellation cannot match. Marlène and Nicolas Chevalier's commitment to parcel-by-parcel vinification preserves that specificity in the bottle. Wine Advocate's recognition of the domaine's quality, along with vintage scores reaching 90 points, confirms that this small-production sibling operation punches above its weight. For anyone looking for authentic Northern Rhône Syrah character — dark fruit, violets, pepper, and minerality — without the price or patience required by Hermitage, Les Voleyses makes a compelling case.