2020 Hermitage Cuvee Assemblage

I always love the wines from this estate, and the 2020 Hermitage Bessards is another drop-dead gorgeous effort. Pure cassis, scorched earth, graphite, and leather all emerge from this powerful, full-bodied, concentrated, fruit-loaded beauty. It has the classic minerality of this terroir (which I've argued is the greatest terroir for Syrah in the world) while displaying the fruit-loaded, opulent style of the vintage. Give bottles just 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Unfortunately, Faurie decided to retire in 2020 and this will be his last vintage released.