“With yields cut 40% by hail, the 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins is a concentrated, rich and velvety effort that should prove reasonably long-lived. Purple raspberries, black olives and blackberries mingle easily on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied and finishes with terrific length. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

“Subtle floral and herb notes join blueberries and black cherries on the nose of the 2019 Côte-Rôtie Seigneur de Maugiron. It's a lush, fruit-filled effort, medium to full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long, silky-textured finish. It should drink well young but keep for a decade or more.”

“Similar in construction to the 2018, the 2019 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes features scents of crushed stone, redcurrants, cherries and vanilla up front, then backs those with a creamy, lush, medium to full-bodied palate that lacks the muscle often associated with this appellation. That said, it shows bolder notes of licorice, blackberry and mocha on the long, velvety finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

“The 2019 Crozes-Hermitage le Clos managed to escape hail damage but remains an intense, concentrated effort. Hints of violets and garrigue appear on the nose alongside cassis and black cherries, while the full-bodied palate is supple, leading into a long, licorice-tinged finish. Drink it over the next decade or so. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”

“The full-bodied 2019 Cornas Chante Perdrix is atypically powerful and intense, yet it still retains the cuvée's essentially approachable character. Supple and fleshy, loaded with red plum, cassis and blackberry fruit, it finishes long, with hints of thyme. Drink it over the next 15 years. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.”