1999 Crozes-Hermitage

Florent Viale, whose father used to sell his Hermitage fruit to Guigal, started vinifying in 1991 and has been selling off less fruit in recent years (although he noted that he may begin again, now that Guigal has begun making Crozes-Hermitage). Vial described the fruit in '99 as very healthy; the hot, dry August resulted in sugar-rich fruit that managed to retain healthy levels of acidity. The only weakness was the very high yields, he added, noting that extensive green harvesting was critical. Still, he produced a high 47 hectoliters per hectares in Crozes-Hermitage and 42 in Hermitage. These are cleanly made wines with good clarity of aromas and flavors-an estate to watch.