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