Notify me
2025 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge “Passe Temps”
Frédéric Pierro
What do you do when you inherit a tiny plot of vines previously used for family and friends’ consumption? I suppose you either go all out and get more land, try to build up a domaine, and go full-time on it, or you keep your day job, be content with what you got, and have some fun with it. Frédéric chose the latter, slowly fixing up the vineyard in his free time, making wine in a garage the size of a closet, while carrying on with his job selling winery supplies to domaines in the region. Using his position to glean tips and advice from his clients (Thierry Allemand was one in particular who offered assistance and inspiration), Frédéric soon had a local following in and around his village for his old-school, dark, juicy Crozes with its hints of tapenade and smoke. A couple years ago, Kermit happened to stop in town for lunch at the local saloon, was promptly served a bottle of Pierro’s, and the rest is history.
—Chris Santini
| Wine Type: | red |
| Vintage: | 2025 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | Syrah |
| Appellation: | Crozes-Hermitage |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Northern Rhône |
| Producer: | Frédéric Pierro |
| Vineyard: | Planted in 2010; .9 ha |
| Soil: | Clay, gravel with galets roulés |
| Aging: | Aged in 3-5 year old barriques for 10-12 months |
| Farming: | Organic (certified) |
| Alcohol: | 12.5% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.
2025 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “Les Hautes Ribaudes”
France | Northern Rhône
With lovely notes of currant and violets, this bright, crunchy wine is irresistible in its youth. Serve cool with just about anything.
2024 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
France | Northern Rhône
Cool in the mouth, with a whiff of smoke and game, this soulful little country Syrah will do a jig with your pâtés and terrines.
2019 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
From high-altitude slopes above the Rhône river, this Syrah exhibits remarkable purity and grace.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
France | Northern Rhône
With notes of red berries, stones, and the faintest hint of brine, this exuberant Syrah is the bottle you should open all summer and fall.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
France | Northern Rhône
Hailing from a single vineyard high up on the hill above Saint-Désirat, this cuvée dials up the fragrance and elegance of Monier-Pérreol’s Saint-Joseph.
2024 Condrieu
France | Northern Rhône
Its ravishing perfume, luxurious body and texture, and unique abilities at table endow this Condrieu with a special place in the connoisseur’s cellar.
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc
France | Northern Rhône
This blanc is befittingly made from only Marsanne, with subtle, but not shy notes of stony peach, orange blossom, and pear.
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
France | Northern Rhône
This perfect mix of acidity and unctuous texture gives persistent floral notes with a long almond finish.
About The Producer
Frédéric Pierro
Kermit discovered the wines of Frédéric Pierro at a casual lunch spot in the hills of Crozes-Hermitage. Frédéric is the smallest independent grower and bottler in the entire appellation, working just one hectare of vines. Fred’s family grew grapes and other crops up until the 1960s, when his grandfather sold off most of his vineyards to focus on fruit trees, which was a more lucrative source of income than winegrowing. Thankfully, in order to have a bit of wine for family consumption, he retained a single hectare, the plot that Fred works today. In 2010, Fred replanted the parcel, which boasts a layer of galets roulés over clay and gravel, and has worked it organically ever since. In a cellar no larger than a closet he raises his micro-production of wines, all aged in barrel: a white Crozes and two reds vinified whole-cluster, one of which is bottled without sulfur.
More from Northern Rhône or France
2019 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2023 Cornas
Auguste Clape France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2019 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2024 Vin de France Rouge “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2023 Cornas
Auguste Clape France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174