quicksearch
89POINTS
16¼/20
René-Jean Dard & François Ribo Crozes-Hermitage 2018
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceRené-Jean Dard and François Ribo started their estate in 1983 in a back street of Tain-l’Hermitage, with about a hectare from Dard’s family. Over the years, they slowly rented or purchased their 9 ha of organically-farmed vineyards that they oversee today from their home base of Mercurol, north of Valence. These legends of natural wine were part of the first generation of dedicated sans-souffre winemakers in the early 90's. Most of their holdings are in Crozes-Hermitage. This syrah comes from a 2.2-ha parcel known as Les Bâties, in Larnage, on red clay with gravel and alluvial stones. Whole bunch, with 10% of the grapes foot trodden, this was native fermented, and aged in demi-muids and barrels, with no additives, a long decanting period in place of filtering, and no sulphur. Generous, textural, and supple, with blackcurrant, thorny wild blackberry, black cherry, tarted up with rhubarb, and infiltrated with peppery spicing. Tannins are fine, softly plush, but still hold this expansive wine through the warming peppery finish. There's an easy freshness and drinkability from the gentle handling; enjoy this now with rosemary scented mushrooms or lamb.Tasted: 21 February 2021Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml | private wine stores |
