"The Crozes-Hermitage “Certitude” from François Villard is from vineyards in the village of Mercurol, in the heart of the appellation. Monsieur Villard includes one hundred percent whole clusters in this wine and ages it for eighteen months in five and six year-old barrels. The 2018 Certitude comes in at 13.5 percent alcohol in this warm summer and delivers a refined aromatic constellation of cassis, black raspberries, smoked meats, pepper, a beautiful base of soil and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely plush on the attack, with a fine core, excellent soil signature, ripe tannins and a long, complex finish that shows excellent lift and grip on the backend. This is a fine bottle of Crozes! 2022-2045+."