Hermitage Tasting

Delas Hermitage Bessards Rouge 2007
Firm tight and very smoky. After an hour in the decanter, the fresh violets, spicy red fruits and cherries becomes really vibrant. A little restrained still on the palate, with firm but very ripe tannins. Intensely spicy, with notes of raspberries, black pepper and cherries. Though this is still clearly in its infancy, it will no doubt age extremely well, and can be expected to reach its drinking window in around 12-15 years.  G+C 90

Delas Hermitage Bessards Rouge 2012
Extremely powerful and concentrated, with a few hours in the decanter, beautiful aromas of blackberries, cassis and brambles gently lift from the glass. Intensely structured, great ripeness, quite fleshy, with beautiful and seductively fine grained tannins. Sweet spices, pepper, and smoked meats is balanced with pronounced acidity that gives the wine a nice lift against the backdrop of the relatively warm alcohol. G+C 93

Jean Louis Chave Hermitage 2001
Smoky, pronounced bramble, hawthorn and black cherry aromas. Typical Chave style, with some rustic characters on the palate, enormous structure and sweet spices. Whilst it is still in its 'developing' stage, it is clear this is still a baby - the tannins are ripe and sweet, but still quite overwhelming and will need some time before it begins to soften up. But there is clear potential, great concentration, and layers of complexity. This is definitely one bottle you would love to lay down for another ten years and stumble back upon. G+C 95

Jean Louis Chave Hermitage 2008
Coming from a pretty tough vintage, the Chave's 2008 Hermitage was a great effort despite all the challenges. Spicy, capsicum notes, leaning towards green peppers, with intensely smoky aromas. Very tight, restrained and a little closed even after a few hours in the decanter. The tannins are fierce, but remain very ripe. There is wonderful acidity, with some leathery aromas too. Elegant, herbaceous, and nicely concentrated. G+C 92

M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Rouge 2008
One of the warmest terroirs in Hermitage, the vines from La Meal reach up to 90 years of age, giving this bottle great concentration and density. Immediately on the nose those powerful cassis and smoky mocha aromas. Bright, youthful, sweet spices along with some brambly notes, elegant acidity, well balanced, though still extremely firm and tight. Despite being so young, the fruit is already showing relatively well. Give this another ten to fifteen years for the tannins to soften up, and this will surely be a winner. G+C 96

M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 1990
Despite its maturity, the 1990 Le Pavillon is still showing really tight rustic notes, with great structure. Spicy, pepper, a hint of licorice, there is good complexity, along with some very herbaceous smoky notes, such as tea leaf, brambles, and forest floor. Ripe and concentrated, with a long elegant finish. G+C 94

M. Chapoutier L'Ermite Ermitage 2000
Located at the top of the Hermitage hill, l'Ermite comes from 100 year old vines is one of the best terroirs in the appellation. A spicy nose of black and white pepper, dark chocolates and mocha. Clean, leathery aromas, a hint of bacon, very generous fruit, judicious oak, lifted acidity and a very long finish. G+C 95

Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 1990
Beautiful, elegant and seductive, the 1990 La Chapelle was the last of the great vintages produced by this iconic negociant after which quality declined briefly until 2003. This 100-point wine is worthy of the great acclaim thrust upon it, showing sublime, generous fruit, silky smooth tannins and beautiful acidity. It has matured very well, revealing classic vanilla and leather notes. Lush, concentrated, very elegant and showing great nuance. This is drinking so beautifully right now, and will certainly continue to do so for decades more. In short, one cannot think of a more perfect wine to drink. G+C 100

Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2015
Deep purple and opaque, the nose is intense and extremely powerful, showing licorice, sweet spices and pepper. Very ripe black currants and cassis on the palate, dark chocolates, and chunky ripe tannins. As expected, even after several hours in the decanter, the fruit was still quite restrained, but shows great potential, with brilliant acidity, and ripe, elegant tannins. It will be at least two decades before this reaches its peak. G+C 96