Cave de Clairmont, Pionniers, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Dumb inky nose. Broad, juicy, dense, packed with fruit but not too heavy or extracted. There’s an underlying opulence and spice that are attractive. Quite long.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Vanillin nose, an oaky expressive personality; the fruit character has notes of surmaturite, with quite firm tannins struggling to keep it in check; the ensemble is rather awkward as result, promising much, delivering much less.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Baked bread, brioche air with a blackberry juice backdrop, some depth, power. Palate is more gentle on the attack, indeed is scented all through, violets, primrose style influences in its juice. All very drinkable, no effort required. Fine late tannin discreetly grips the close. Bonny.