There are wines that announce themselves with volume, and there are wines that earn your attention one sip at a time. The 2010 Equinoxe falls squarely into the second camp.
For those who know the Northern Rhône, the names behind the bottle matter. Maxime Graillot, son of the legendary Alain Graillot, has long demonstrated that Crozes-Hermitage can deliver far more than simple, early-drinking Syrah. Equinoxe was one of the projects that helped establish that reputation.
And 2010? That’s where things get interesting.
2010 is widely regarded as one of the great Rhône vintages of the modern era. The growing season delivered wines with concentration, freshness, and structure. Fifteen years later, you’re seeing why collectors held onto bottles like this.
In the glass, the wine has evolved beyond youthful fruit. The color remains surprisingly deep, but the aromatics have shifted into classic mature Northern Rhône territory. Smoked bacon fat. Black olive tapenade. Cracked pepper. Dried violets. A hint of leather. The fruit remains, but now it’s supporting the cast rather than leading it.
What makes this wine special isn’t power. It’s precision.
The palate is remarkably fresh for a wine of this age. Blackberry and plum notes are still present, but they’re framed by savory elements that only time can create. The tannins have melted into the wine, creating a texture that feels seamless rather than structured.
There’s an elegance here that many modern Syrahs miss entirely.
What I love most about mature Crozes-Hermitage is that it often develops characteristics people associate with Hermitage itself, albeit on a smaller scale. The olive, the smoke, the mineral edge, the floral lift. They’re all here, just expressed with a little more humility.
Food pairing? This wine practically begs for roast lamb, duck breast, mushroom dishes, or simply a well-aged Comté. At this stage of its life, the wine deserves food that complements rather than competes.
The real story, however, is value. Bottles like Equinoxe remind us why savvy Rhône buyers have been quietly filling their cellars for decades while the rest of the world chased Bordeaux and Napa. Fifteen years after harvest, this wine is likely delivering more pleasure than many wines that cost three or four times as much upon release.
This is not a wine about fruit. It’s a wine about place, time, and evolution.
And that’s exactly what mature Northern Rhône Syrah should be.
WineSiders Take
The 2010 Equinoxe is entering its sweet spot. Fully mature but showing no signs of decline, it delivers everything lovers of aged Syrah seek: smoked meat, olive, pepper, earth, and lingering elegance. A reminder that great Crozes-Hermitage isn’t the little brother of Hermitage. On nights like this, it’s simply itself, and that’s more than enough.
Score: 93-95 Points (current drinking window)
Drink: Now through 2030
Pair With: Roast lamb, duck confit, wild mushrooms, aged Comté, grilled venison.
Buy Again? Absolutely, if you can find a well-stored bottle. It’s a masterclass in how beautifully Northern Rhône Syrah can age.
