2010 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes

Tasted blind. Very pale crimson. Sweet and linctus-like on the nose. Just a little simple. And a bit tight on the end. Ungenerous. (JR)

The 2010 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is an incredible wine that's only eclipsed by the 2009 Domaine des Tourettes. The 2010 is inky colored, concentrated and full-bodied, yet also elegant and seamless, with terrific complexity in its blackcurrant, saddle leather, cured meats, toasted bread and graphite aromas and flavors. Given its overall purity and freshness, as well as sweet tannin, it's actually a beautiful drink even today, yet it should be at its finest from 2020-2040.

Lurid purple. Potent, smoke-accented scents of blackberry, cassis and candied violet, with a spicy topnote. Stains the palate with sappy black and blue fruit flavors that become livelier with air. Rich but animated, with excellent finishing power and a big jolt of chewy tannins at the close. Very promising but still a baby.