Crozes-Hermitage Rouge, Dard & Ribo 2023

René Jean Dard and François Ribo , Crozes-Hermitage

René Jean Dard and François Ribo have acquired a cult following amongst those who frequent the natural wine bars of France, and they are also revered in Japan, the second home of great low sulphur wines. Their 7.5 vineyard holding is split around seven villages on a variety of terroirs comprising different soil types. The winery is located near Mercurol (a short distance east of Tain l’Hermitage). They use two types of pruning, goblet and tie-up, depending on the slope and other terrain conditions and practise organic viticulture. We are taking four whites, two Crozes and two Saint-Josephs. The straight Crozes
is a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, whilst the Karrière is from a parcel of Marsanne vines on caolin (white clay soils). The Saint-Joseph meanwhile is pure Roussanne. All the whites manage to bridge the gap between being golden, honeyed, spicy yet
defiantly mineral. The Karrière deserves an extra mention. The rhyme of this ancient Marsanner fills the mouth with creamed apricots, sun warmed soil, humus, walnut oil and lanolin. It comes in waves: you think it has dropped off the end of your palate
into the oblivion of your gullet then the flavours ping back, echoing incense. The two reds share a common purity of fruit. The Crozes, from red clay soils with gravel and alluvial stones, is almost salty with notes of violets, olives, dill, blackberry, and leather, whilst the Saint-Joseph, from vines on decomposed granitic soils, is round and smoky. 

Generous fruit end of the spectrum with other bits mixed in. Wild blackberry-purée pits, stems and all, wafting violets, Provençale olive notes (more like tapenade made with crushed wild thyme), flecks of pepper and granite back notes. In a velvet jacket.

Grape: 100% Syrah

Organic