François Villard Certitude Crozes-Hermitage 2016

(all whole clusters) Dark bright-rimmed ruby. Vibrant aromas of fresh, spice-tinged dark berries and candied flowers develop a suggestion of olive as the wine opens up. Clean and nervy in style, offering energetic black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a suave touch of Asian spices. Finishes sweet, gently tannic and very long, leaving a note of violet pastille behind. Drinking window: 2023-2030. (Josh Raynolds,Other,April 2018)