The Rhone is less about rushing rapids and far more about chasing artisan wine.  But why strain yourself with the task when we've done the work for you?  With no stone unturned, our hunt was most recently rewarded by the prized quarry of Emmanuel Darnaud; artisan vintner par excellence.  Working from the smallest barrel cave we've seen, Darnaud spearheads the youth movement in Crôzes-Hermitage.  Bent on proving the validity of the appellation, he rises to the challenge every year with outstanding Syrah more reminiscent of top St. Joseph than the prosaic Crôzes-Hermitage that so often leaves us wanting.  Darnaud's Les Trois Chênes only leaves us wanting more Darnaud.

Six parcels of gifted land provide the palette from which Darnaud crafts Syrah of pronounced aromas; thick skinned blueberries, spiced raspberries and faint savory elements like olives and bacon fat.  A bright acidity is balanced by dense tannins and marvelous flavors ranging from faint ferrous notes and a broad spectrum of fruit to those telling Northern Rhone meat pan juices.  2007 saw three weeks of the dry and blustery Mistral winds out of the north during the final stage of ripening.  Such a dessicating blast brought plenty of power and ripe complexity that Les Trois Chênes in 2007 -singing proudly before the curtain are even drawn.  Artisan Vineyards was fortunate to secure a nice chunk of the limited cases allocated to the United States.  With the food pairing structure chefs salivate for, Les Trois Chênes is perfect for all roasts from the holiday brisket to pheasants from the field -ideal this season but promising for four to six winters to come.