2003 Hermitage

The deep ruby/purple-colored 2003 Hermitage is extremely concentrated. It is the biggest, richest Hermitage I have ever tasted from Belle. A striking liqueur of mineral component is accompanied by notes of flowers and pepper. Opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, powerful, and potentially long-lived, yields for this cuvee were only 18 hectoliters per hectare. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 832-9083

Full ruby-purple. Brooding aromas of blackberry, cassis, bitter chocolate and minerals, with some tarry, minty high tones. Large-scaled, thick and rich, with an impression of great sucrosite Very dense flavors of black fruits and bitter chocolate. Finishes with huge, building, very fine tannins and an explosive whiplash of fruit. I can't recall a more impressive Hermitage from Belle. This needs a good decade in the cellar.

The deep ruby/purple-colored 2003 Hermitage is extremely concentrated. It is the biggest, richest Hermitage I have ever tasted from Belle. A striking liqueur of mineral component is accompanied by notes of flowers and pepper. Opaque purple-colored, full-bodied, powerful, and potentially long-lived, yields for this cuvee were only 18 hectoliters per hectare. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Feb 2006, www.robertparker.com