M. Chapoutier : L'Ermite 2013

Sleek, with mouthwatering flavors of red currant, raspberry and cherry preserves forming the core, while a dusting of cocoa, a snap of red licorice and a long, lingering iron spine complete the picture. Very pure and focused. The minerality wins out in the end. Best from 2019 through 2032. 29 cases imported.

A strikingly complex nose of berries, black pepper, smoke, grilled meat, dried herbs, spices and lard. Give it time to unfurl in your glass. Full body with fine tannins and bright acidity. The mineral backbone at the center shows clarity and vibrancy but turns vertical with its firm and massively mineral tannins. So much spice and freshness here for a decade-old wine. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Delicious but will continue to age beautifully for the next decade.

100% Syrah grown on shallow, sandy brown soils over Tournon granite at the top of the hill of Hermitage. 120-year-old vines picked very late. 100% destemmed grapes were vinified in concrete and macerated for four to six weeks at temperatures sometimes over 30 °C. 20% of the wine was aged in new barrels, 20% in second-use barrels, 30% in third-use, and so on. Deep crimson. Very firm and very Syrah with real depth but, interestingly, the nose deteriorated in an opened bottle — not as fast as a Pinot but almost — perhaps because it’s already 10 years old. Unusually fruity initial impact and some real delicacy (who’d have thought?!) on the palate. I see that I noted this energy back in 2014. (JR)

Bright purple. An impressively complex, expressive nose displays intense aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, incense, allspice and smoky minerals. Spicy, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors show superb focus and energy, and a suave floral pastille quality emerges as the wine opens up. Shows a compelling blend of richness and vivacity, finishing with superb lift, harmonious tannins and outstanding persistence.