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All wines are red except for the Cave de Tain Crozes-Hermitage Empreinte du Rhône.
David REYNARD
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Beaumont
This wine was raised in cement and bottled very early (2 March, 2022). As a result, there’s been little exposure to oxygen and the wine needs very substantial time in a decanter to begin to show its worth. It features dark fruits, a bit of smokiness, a medium-full body with round tannins, and decent length. Nevertheless, it is a bit anonymous. Drink over the next 5-8 years. Certified organic. Ardseal closure. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L.220302. 86/B-
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Beaumont
This is a different lot of the wine reviewed above, presumably having been bottled later. It has dark and red fruits with some spice but no precision, and the overall impression is one of bare ripeness of the fruit (something I rarely find). years. Certified organic. Ardseal closure. 12% stated alcohol. Lot L.220523. 85/C
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Georges
A completely different beast from the Beaumont, this wine shows richness and depth to its dark fruits and a pleasing velvet texture. Certified organic and biodynamic. Ardseal closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Lot L.01 90/A
Cave de TAIN
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Empreinte du Rhône blanc
This wine is all Marsanne, and typical of all Marsanne wines at this stage, not showing much breadth or generosity. But there is good minerality, depth, and concentration, and I expect that within a year or two, there will be some expansion and deepening, making this a substantially more interesting wine (say, meriting 88/B+). Nomacorc closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Lot L 22145. 85+/C
2021 Crozes-Hermitage Les 3 Lys
I earlier published notes on a different cuvée of this wine. This bottling is less attractive, although still decent for the quite low price asked. The wine is medium-weight and round with dark plum fruit, and just a little tannin on the finish. I’d drink it over the next 3-5 years. Cork closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. Lot L22106. 86/B-
2021 Saint-Joseph Les Perdrigolles
This isn’t bad as Syrah, but there’s no Saint-Joseph character to be found. The wine is light in weight but has decent intensity to its slightly spicy dark fruit. Cork closure. 12.5% stated alcohol. 86/C
Georges VERNAY/Christine VERNAY
2020 Saint-Joseph Terres d'Encre
Typical of wines from the northern part of Saint-Joseph, this wine resembles an elegant Côte-Rôtie. The nose is spicy and perfumed. The mouth is medium-light with round tannins, slightly soft acidity, and maraschino cherry fruit. I’d drink this wine over the next five years or so. Certified organic. Cork closure. 13.0% stated alcohol. Lot L.05. 89/B+
VINDIOU
2020 Crozes-Hermitage Cafiot
Vindiou is a new micro-négociant venture that intends to eventually acquire its own holdings. Slightly animal in the nose, the wine has dark fruits in the mouth and nose and a medium-weight body. It’s a promising start and I look forward to future vintages. DIAM 10 closure. 13% stated alcohol. Lot L0220. 88/B+