After reading some notes here concerning 2021 vintage in Northern Rhone, how it was a 'light' vintage, many vineyards not ripening fully, some producers chapitalizing their wines, I decided to break into one of these bottles to see what the vintage is all about.
Definitely different character from the 2020 Ardeche Les Iles Feray, which is more in the 'house style', big and brooding fruit and grippy textures (though not as much as Saint Joseph, obviously, this is a dark (looking) wine, emphasis on red fruit, olives, and floral-herbal characteristics but still with an earthy Syrah quality. Medium+ weight on the palate, peppery and dark-fruited on the finish - very enjoyable now but hints for 3-5 more years of good life or more.
erhaps this is one of those situations where, even on 'weak' vintages, the best houses come through. Clearly Gonon is among those, and there's no disappointment on this wine, for this vintage, whatsoever.
