Finot, Thomas 2021 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc "Cuvee Anais"

Thomas Finot, who is making fascinating wines in the Coteaux Grésivaudan in the Isère, makes a tiny quantity of Crôzes-Hermitage Blanc and Rouge.  This beautiful Crôzes Blanc is from 100% Marsanne grown on the family's 1.8 hectare parcel of old vines in Larnage on a hillside with granite and limestone subsoils under interesting topsoils of white clay (kaolin). The Cuvée Anaïs is from a single parcel of the oldest vines. The wine shows a fairly deep gold color with apricot, citrus confit, caramel and beautiful herbal aromas, quite distinctive. The palate shows the aromatics but in a subtle way with terrific density and a firm mineral core, with round but balanced fruit, citrus and minerals continuing in the long sapid finish. This beautiful wine will accompany full-flavored cheeses, fish such as halibut or monkfish, lobster and white meats. Lovely wine. -David Lillie