Delightful aromatics exude brunch vibes as the nose is reminiscent of bramble jam over butter toast with bits of black licorice shaved on top. The palate offers white strawberries, pomegranate juice, rhubarb, blackberry, rose petals, green peppercorn, sweet vanilla and cardamom. Tannins are balanced by impressive acidity, making it difficult to put the glass down.

The 2020 Crozes Hermitage La Petite Ruche is a real gem in the vintage, offering juicy darker fruits, some classic peppery, gamey, bacon fat-like characteristics, medium body, supple tannins, and a clean, lengthy finish. All destemmed and brought up mostly in concrete, it would make one screaming good house red to drink over the coming 2-4 years, if not longer.