Vincent Paris Crozes Hermitage, 2021

Vincent Paris, whose first vintage was 1997, is as shy as his wines are bold. In his early 30's, he has retro sideburns, but not much else about this appellation's established star is "retro". Vincent's uncle is Robert Michel, one of Cornas' finest growers. He made his two first wines with his uncle and then, seeking autonomy, rented facilities for the vinification of his most recent wines. He is in the process of building his own winemaking facilities with a courtyard that holds his apricot plantation. Co-president of the appellation of Cornas with Jacques Lemencier, Vincent owns eight hectares of vineyards and produces about 2,500 cases per year, of which 1,600 are Cornas. He inherited most of his vines from his grandfather (some of which are 90 years old) and also rented, then purchased, vines from his uncle, including "Geynale" in the Cornas amphitheatre. They are located at different places primarily along the southeast facing Cornas slope and a small lot in Saint Joseph. Vincent is convinced that the forests surrounding the appellation must remain wild and uncultivated. He believes in protecting ecosystems to preserve the health balance of all vegetation, not only vines. He is meticulous in the vineyards, and prunes to only four bunches of grapes per vine (the norm is between five and seven), which concentrates the vines' growing power and cuts down on the need for green harvests. In the cellar he ferments at relatively low temperatures and matures his wine in oak barrels for up to 12 months.

Organic: Practicing

Vineyard: Fruit meticulously selected by Vincent from a long-time organic grower in Crozes. Vines average 30 years of age.

Soil: Alluvial soils and "galet roulets" (rolling rocks) that attract warmth.

Viticulture: Organically farmed, soils are worked.

Vinification: All destemmed, ferments at low temps, vinfied in tank.

Aging: 9 months in tank

Production: Limited - 300 cases