Well, the Tain wines keep rolling in. Discovered this poking around in the environs of the Hermitage mentioned in the other thread. Presumably also a gift (although a more recent one I should hope to remember...) so don't know what it cost. Assume a bit more than the "classic" crozes. Thought it would be interesting to compare.
This is certainly a classier wine, but it loses a little of the raw syrah aspect I'd expect, the typicity. Well balanced, fruit more restrained but without much tannin, good length but a little thin in the middle, overall chewy impression none the less, stone fruits, earth. The whole is perhaps less than the sum of the parts, I'd not really seek it out, although it went well enough with a roast chicken and mash. As with most Crozes, not a long keeper.
-E