Finot, Thomas 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Classique

Thomas Finot, who is resurrecting forgotten vineyards and varieties in the Isère, is also making brilliant wines from his tiny family vineyard in Crozes-Hermitage. He has 1.8 hectare of old vines in Larnage on a hillside with granite and limestone subsoils under interesting topsoils of white clay (kaolin). The 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Classique is bright and herbaceous on the nose, with some brambly dark cherry and blackberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh with outstanding purity - there's some darker fruit and spice on the back end, with supple tannins and perfectly balanced acidity.