Domaine Belle, Les Pierrelles, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Closed nose. Rich, assertive, hefty tannins, a bit brutal. But it has ample fruit and grip and probably needs more time to harmonise. Slightly extracted but not to excess. Good length.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Summer pudding notes, with hints of spice and late-harvest orchard fruit; palate is broad and generous of texture and intent, with very finely etched tannins and hints of chocolate, minerals, herbs and spice providing elegant support. A clearly defined sense of place and expressive length on the palate.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Stewed red fruits, reduction on nose – mature fruit with a jam leaning in its nature, a little sweet spice, fennel in behind. Palate tastes well now, seems close to maximum give-out, heightens its black fruit intensity as it travels. Assertive, tar-style aftertaste. tannins well absorbed. Regular Guy Crozes, good carry in the fruit, keeps going.