M. Chapoutier : L'Ermite 2011

Tightly coiled, with a briary frame around the core of intense steeped plum, red currant and black cherry fruit. An iron spine drives the focused finish. A wine of cut and precision that will need time to stretch out fully. Best from 2016 through 2030. 16 cases imported.

Beguilingly fragrant, this Ermite oscillates between smoky, toasty, earthy characters and high-toned sweet fruit. Notes of grilled red pepper, stewed strawberries and hot soil. The tannins are like thick-set yoghurt in nature: dense but incredibly silky.

Dark crimson. Very fruity nose. Big and bold and brawny. Glossy. Lots of ripeness followed by structure and tannins. Very youthful. Hint of liquorice. Some life and very substantial but not aggressively chewy. A bit flashier than the average Hermitage. (JR)

Opaque ruby. An explosively perfumed bouquet features blackberry, cassis, cola, potpourri and smoky Indian spices. Broad, concentrated and alluringly sweet, with pliant dark fruit and violet pastille flavors showing wonderful depth as well as purity and vivacity. Bright mineral and spice notes accent the long, penetrating finish, which is firmed by silky, harmonious tannins.

The 2011 Ermitage L'Ermite is a killer Hermitage that offers a huge bouquet of thick crème de cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as the classic minerality, graphite, and licorice notes this cuvée always shows. Full-bodied, dense, and concentrated on the palate, it’s a glorious effort that’s still moderately backward and tannic yet is just now starting to round the corner. It’s going to be very long lived, especially for a 2011.