($22, ExCellars): Crozes-Hermitage is the flatter, less well situated land around the prestigious hill of Hermitage.  From conscientious producers, like Guigal, these wines can be great values. This wine shows the ripeness of the vintage without being marred by over-extraction. There is an almost Australian-like quality to the flavors–although not so flamboyant with alcohol–but its European lineage shows in the acid/tannin structure. Certainly an atypical Crozes because of its ripeness and power, but one that is very pleasing. 90 Michael Apstein Jan 30, 2007