Emmanuel Darnaud is a grower to watch. As well as making extremely impressive wines in Crozes-Hermitage, he also owns 1.7 hectares of 30- to 80-year-old, southeast facing vines on granitic soil in St-Joseph. This is the source of his stunning lieu-dit cuvée La Dardouille (the name means ‘to sun oneself’, which encapsulates the exposition). This vineyard was passed on to him by his father-in-law, Bernard Faurie. Emmanuel has also been collaborating with his father-in-law on other projects – expect future developments. (NT 03/10/23)