I adore 2021. Insane wine. Nose is feral, herbal and gamey and so expressive for a young Berceau. Red fruits galore with unreal clarity and depth. Granite aromas but expressed in a floral way as they are so expressive. Quite layered and so elite. A knockout nose and that’s just as the bottle is opened. Maybe 3-5% black fruits but barely black. Wow what a palate. Rich yet focused and with maybe 75% red and 25% black fruits but beguiling freshness and velvety, high quality tannins. Wow the nose after a fresh pour is 9.8. Palate has substantial grip, tannins and structure and is imposing but not like a warmer vintage expression of Le Berceau. It’s got velvety, molten tannins that are perfectly ripe and the fruit is mid season red berries and such incredibly realized red fruits with just insane clarity. Infused with herbs and crushed granite and the finish goes on forever. But needs air and my score will go higher.
Nose is now smokey and meaty. Wild flowers and mint. So complex and intense. Palate is so fresh and energetic with red cherry and classic flavors and loads of mineral intensity. Really elegant and stunning texture. So much energy. Wow. 9.5 to 9.6. — 4 months ago
Quite darn tasty. Snappy acidity and fleshy make it go bye bye quickly. — a month ago
I love 21 N Rhone reds and it’s a throw back vintage to maybe 96/98? It’s so red fruited, classically structured and elegant. Like a symphony in 21 and not the recent guitar solo vintages.
Unreal nose of absolute harmony and so red fruited. A hint of barely ripe black cherry. Dried herbs. So heavenly. Crazy floral. Best young Gripa St Jo nose. Palate is so red fruited. So unusual for Gripa. Great depth and concentration and high acidity. Dusty, young and unformed finish but the red fruit really leaves it mark. It will fill in and gain finesse if it follows the trajectory of other 21’s. What a finish.
Now it’s more complex and so refined. Classic Mauves from yesteryear. 9.4 to 9.5. Juicy, tangy red berry fruit. So ethereal. Brilliant.
Today it is meatier on the nose but still red fruited mostly with some black fruits peeking through. Unreal spice and desiccated leaves. Tree bark as well and some smoke. Wild mint and lavender. Juicy and elegant and so nimble. Wow. — 4 months ago
Low intervention, unfiltered. A bit of spice — a month ago
Leo Gentile
Deep garnet color with a hint of brick. Leather and black cherry on the nose very subdued alcohol. Earthy notes at first then dried orange peel dried montmorancy cherry leather and a bit of smoke. Have one more in the cellar which I will wait 2-5years to open. Thanks to Eric Brown for recommending this lovely cab franc — 8 days ago