Louis Bernard, Le Hameau, Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône, 2010

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Smoky but essentially dumb nose. Medium-bodied, supple, quite juicy, but one-dimensional. Sounds the same note across the palate, and there’s a slight greenness. Pleasant enough but fairly vapid. Medium length.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Attractive nose of prunes, cassis, forest floor and pine. Palate is a little overwhelmed by the extent if its aspiration; young fruit is over-reached in the name of a somewhat evasive complexity.

Tasting: Crozes-Hermitage 2010

Dusty top air, stewed red berry under, leans towards jam, wee floral. Palate spiced; red fruit woven into fresh, purposeful tannins. Lacks bit of flesh towards end, a granite child in style, true to that. Mid2013 on. Hidden corners. Fresh end.