105. Cave de Tain l’Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage Nobles Rives, 2000

£7.20; 12.5%

Not as good as the 1999, due to a slightly light body (slightly too acidic) but nevertheless a very nice syrah! Initially ‘closed’ on the nose, with new shoe leather hints, but then opened out into a deeper gently oaked, slight leathery overtoned dark fruit aromas. Flavour, and I think aroma too therefore, was blueberry. The acidity fits with the slightly ‘green’ freshness of uncooked blueberry. As mentioned, the wine did have a ‘gap’ on the palate, with need for a bit more depth of flavour, and perhaps alcohol and glycerine? Garnet colour. Gentle tannins. Nice!!