Hermitage in the foreground, Tournon across the river...

Dard & Ribo 2021 Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph, and a Reminder...

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2021s from Dard & Ribo

The wines of Dard & Ribo have evolved to become some of the most pure and delicious wines of the Northern Rhone, much sought after by lovers of natural wines. Quantities are tiny, of course, and we are glad to offer a few bottles of the 2022 "C'est le Printemps" as well as many of the 2021s, including a few of the rare special cuvées.

2021 was a difficult vintage in the Northern Rhone, but the top estates made attractive wines with lower alcohol and pretty fruit, compared to the hot vintages of 2018 - 2020. "... a lot of sorting and discarding was required in the vineyards. Maybe there were more than 100 days between flowering and harvesting this year, rare these days. The white harvest was very good, as was the yield, while the red harvest lost 33%. ...we worked very carefully, and left a lot of bunches.” Francois Ribo in Drinkrhone.

A Reminder - 2021s from Domaine Rousset

The capable Stephane Rousset turned out some beautiful wines in 2021, despite the inclement weather, from his superb granite and limestone hillside vineyards in the northern sector of Crozes, and from his small parcel on "les Rivoires" in Tournon. The wines have surprising ripeness and depth, with lovely freshness as well, which makes them enjoyable as young wines. Try to hold the "Les Picaudieres" for 10 years - you will be amply rewarded; drink the Saint-Joseph now or in 6 to 10 years, and the extraordinary Marsanne Vieilles Vignes will benefit from 6 to 10 years of aging as well....

Wines arrive Wednesday 12/13. Dard & Ribo are net priced. Rousset discounts 10% on 12 btls

 

  • white
  • 11 in stock
  • no discount
  • $51.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • white
  • 1 in stock
  • no discount
  • $59.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 20 in stock
  • no discount
  • $49.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 9 in stock
  • no discount
  • $58.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • no discount
  • $64.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 9 in stock
  • no discount
  • $62.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 2 in stock
  • no discount
  • $64.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur
  • red
  • 9 in stock
  • no discount
  • $37.99

  • Organic
  • Low Sulfur

Rousset 2021 Saint-Joseph

The 2021 Rousset Saint-Joseph is from a one-half hectare parcel of 35 to 70 year-old vines in "Les Rivoires" on the lower slope in Tournon, a cool, very steep, late-ripening terroir with clay, sand and stones over firm granite. Aged 12 months, 30% foudre, 70% 1 to 5 year-old barrels.This is prime Saint-Joseph terroir (the Gonons have vines in "Rivoires" as well) giving a dense well-structured wine that is enjoyable young, as most of the grapes are de-stemmed, and that will drink well over the next ten+ years. The 2021 vintage has produced a brighter more floral style than the 2020, with a nicely balanced 13% alcohol. We love the review in drinkrhone: "quite a dark red; this has a country style aroma, wild blackberry, licorice, black pepper, is genuine. The palate gives a cool stream of black cherry fruit, is tasty and natural, with appealing purity, feels hand made, and is silky, elegant on the finish. It’s very fine, very bonny, aromatic St Jo, the balance good - most joli it is."  Yes, most joli it is - quite delicious now, but put a few away to drink in 8 to 10 years as well.  David Lillie

  • red
  • 28 in stock
  • $26.99

Rousset 2021 Crôzes-Hermitage Les Picaudières

Les Picaudières is perhaps the best vineyard in Crôzes-Hermitage, formerly owned by Raymond Roure and now tended by Stéphane Rousset. It's a steep slope of granite terraces, isolated in an oak forest facing due south and protected from the wind. (In the opinion of Livingston-Learmonth in "Wines of the Northern Rhône" wine from Les Picaudières is "certainly better" than many Hermitage from the eastern part of the hill.) The vines range from 20 to 80 years-old. The grapes are hand-harvested and mostly de-stemmed. The wine ages 16 months, 40% in foudre, 60% in burgundy barrels, 1 to 5 year-old. (no newer oak for the 2021)  In the Northern Rhône, this ranks near the top for bang for your buck, and for terroir expression. The 2021 shows a medium-dark red/garnet color with vivid aromas of black cherry and blackberry with violet, citrus, blueberry and game. The palate shows nice weight and density but remains bright and balanced at 13% alcohol with a core of earth and mineral flavors blending with the fruit - black cherry, blackberry, boysenberry. There is darker fruit with floral notes in the finish, ending with all earth and minerals. Classy and delicious now, but it should be really singing in ten years - as was a 2012 we drank last year. Serve very slightly cool and enjoy! David Lillie

  • red
  • 24 in stock
  • $28.99

Rousset 2021 Crôzes-Hermitage Marsanne Vieilles Vignes

 This is an oustanding Marsanne from vines planted in  1933 and 1965, aged in 10% new, 90% 1 - 3 year-old 400 liter barrels, 8 months on the lees, no batonnage. The 2021 Vieilles Vignes is an outstanding wine showing elegant aromas of white peach and plum, lemon zest, stone and oak; the palate is beautifully structured with the density, mineral flavors and firm acidity of the low yielding 2021 vintage. The finish is lovely with stone, white and yellow fruits, citrus zest, long and very elegant, really showing the old vines. Open well in advance or cellar 3 to 5 years, allowing the oak to fully integrate, then enjoy until 2035. (About 80 cases made) Pair this beautiful wine with full-flavored fish and chicken dishes and goat cheeses, or as the Roussets suggest, with rock fish, veal marengo and mushroom risotto! David Lillie

  • white
  • 30 in stock
  • $27.99

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