Chapoutier's entry-level Crozes is the 2020 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. It's peppery and fresh, marked by pretty raspberry and cherry aromas on the nose. In the mouth, it's medium-bodied and silky but lacking the richness of the preceding vintage. However, it shows fine delineation and purity. Drink it young.

The ripe, fruit-driven and relatively concentrated 2019 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche is a solid effort. Loaded with violets and black cherries and boasting hints of cracked pepper, it's medium to full-bodied, expansive on the palate and long and velvety on the finish. It looks to be an early-maturing vintage, so drink it young.

Blueberries and cherries mark the nose of the fruit-forward 2018 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. Meant for early consumption, this is a medium to full-bodied, silky-textured red that's just a lot of fun to drink.

Tar and black black olive notes accent the ripe black cherries on the nose of the 2017 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche. It's medium to full-bodied, with an easygoing, open-knit feel and plenty of blackberry fruit on the finish.

Aged only in concrete, the 2016 Crozes Hermitage la Petite Ruche is a supple, creamy-textured offering that should be consumed over the next 4-5 years for its blueberry and blackberry fruit. Hints of tar and black olive add some savory complexity to this medium to full-bodied wine.