1998 Hermitage Cuvee Emilie

The saturated black/purple-colored 1998 Hermitage Cuvee Emilie rouge (30% of this offering emerges from Les Rocoules and 70% from l'Ermite) is an ultra-rich offering, with wonderfully sweet, jammy, blackberry liqueur, tobacco, licorice, and gravelly scents. Massive in the mouth, with layers of concentrated black fruit flavors, huge glycerin, low acidity, and a blockbuster finish, this wine should enjoy 20-30 years of evolution. In addition to its sweet, jammy fruit characteristics, it reveals noticeable tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025. A Patrick Lesec Selection (Paris fax # 011 33 1 42 84 38 22), various American importers, including Adventures in Wine, Daly City, CA; tel. (415) 467-0130, Atlantic Importing Co., Newton, MA; tel. (617) 965-2933, Fine Vines LLC, Maywood, IL; tel. (708) 343-5901, and New Castle Imports, Myrtle Beach, SC; tel. (843) 497-8625