Emmanuel Darnaud, Crozes-Hermitage, Mise Bouche

At La Route des Vins, Abidjan: Excellent French charcuterie and cheese at a wine bar in Abidjan, with a wide range of French wines. We picked this one, partly because I have been thinking that we don't drink enough wine from the lesser appellations of the Northern Rhone, and it only reinforced my conviction that Crozes-Hermitage and St. Joseph should play a bigger part in our lives. Completely drinkable from opening. Marked chocolate aroma with an impression of maple syrup. …

Rich dark fruit. On the lower side for tannins but with enough acidity to make it very drinkable. Did not have the savory flavors of higher end Northern Rhone but still as delicious drink. Pair with roasted mushrooms.

What everyone else said. A spectacular value northern rhone.

A beautiful fruit to it, if a bit of a quirky note to it. And then structured on the palate as well.

The nose is focused on sweet juicy blackberries, but there are beautiful suspicions of violets, olives, herbes de provence, blood, bacon... Medium to full, plush and juicy, a little foggy but ther are also layers of sweet fresh berries, tannins grip mildly and the acids are pretty gentle but provide backbone. Beautiful length for an entry-level wine. Should be well worth following another few years.

Dégustation des vins d'Emmanuel Darnaud : Couleur sombre, pourpre, éclatante. Nez discret charmeur, violettes, mûres et une pointe de romarin. Bouche ronde et charnue, bien fraîche, savoureuse, avec un beau fruit qui me rappelle Graillot. Finale en finesse, bien équilibrée, assez fine, avec une pointe herbacée noble (romarin), qui vient de la partie de vendange entière et contribue à sa fraîcheur. Rien n’accroche, c’est franchement délicieux. 90-91+ pts

Classic Crozes-Hermitage, the 2013 Emmanuel Darnaud Mise en Bouche is composed of 100% Syrah grown in gallet-studded Glacial alluvia. Brooding and baritone, the nose is laden in black fruit. Gamier notes and black olives evolve into blackberries steeped in fresh thyme, violets, and anise pastille. The attack is all black fruit, couched in firm, grippy tannins that terminate in a moderate, if slightly chalky finish accented by cedar and green peppercorn. 13.0% ABV

Medium color. Medium weight Syrah with herbs, black fruit, and decent concentration.