Dard & Ribo 2023 Hermitage Rouge

66-70% Syrah on 0.4 ha on Varogne (1910, 1950s (mostly replanted 2010s), 1996, 2000, 2019, receives sun late in morning, gets hot in afternoon, since 1984), 18-22% 1970 Syrah on 0.13 hectare on Les Murets (since 2016), 14-18% 2001 Syrah from 0.09 hectare on La Croix, whole bunch fermentation, pumping overs, cap punching, aged used 600-litre oak casks 12 months, unfined, unfiltered. "quite a fine red; the nose has an axis of red, crisp fruit, hedgerow berries, is smoky. The palate serves a soft display of cool red fruits, acidulés, tart fruits, has some iron spine, a ferrous tone all along the second half. There are vegetal dabs at the end, pot pourri flowers and spice there. It’s clear Hermitage, toned, needs time, a Nordic sort of wine with tannic darkness on the finish, herbal touches there. It’s genuine, has no make-up on board, will show bright fruit, especially if you wait until around 2031-36. “The palate makes me think of a Jura Poulsard in a good vintage there, finesse wines, whose qualities you may overlook,” F Ribo." Drink until 2046