2021 Ermitage Les Greffieux

Quite forward and precocious, the 2021 Ermitage les Greffieux offers up scents of pencil shavings and red-berried fruit. Is it a little too cedary perhaps? Often the plushest of the parcel selections, it's medium to full-bodied, ripe and supple, with a long, silky finish tinged with cranberries.

The medium ruby-hued 2021 Ermitage Les Greffieux comes from the base of the Hermitage hill and was completely destemmed and saw 10 months in 20% new barrels, some of which were demi-muids. Wild strawberries, herbes de Provence, spice, and leather notes all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, with a round, supple, elegant mouthfeel, light tannins, and outstanding length. I always find a certain Southern Rhône-like vibe from this lieu-dit, and it's certainly present here. Drink this perfumed, pretty, elegant Hermitage over the coming 15 years. This was another fabulous tasting with Michel Chapoutier and his team, and it continues to be one of the highlight tastings I do in a year. The portfolio is massive, so there’s certainly something in here for everyone. Looking at the 2021s, I was able to retaste a handful of the flagship whites, and these appear to have shut down slightly. I wouldn’t touch bottles for another 3-5 years. The reds are leaner and focused, but balanced, and certainly impeccably made. However, the 2022s continue to trend here, starting around 2017 or 2018, toward fresher, lighter wines, both with the reds and whites. In addition, they’re all experimenting with whole cluster fermentations, which works beautifully in the wines I was able to taste.

The 2021 Ermitage Les Greffieux is a success given the challenging vintage conditions. Crushed violets, rose petal, red plum, raspberry, cedar traces and a pinch of vanilla are all nicely delineated. Utterly seamless on the palate, the 2021 is a distinctively refined Les Greffieux with sufficient flavor concentration and a polished finale.