2016 Ermitage Les Dionnieres

A profoundly spicy and dark-stony nose with a deep-set, dark-plum core. Petrichor and pepper here, too. The palate has a very dense, quite plush and suave feel with a sweet-spice edge and very assertive, mouth-filling tannins, bathed in dark-plum and black-cherry flavors. Try from 2026.

Coming all from sedimentary soils on the eastern side of the hill and brought up in 20% new barrels, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières is a gem in the lineup. Blackberries, currants, roasted herbs, cured meats, and spice notes all emerge from this opulent, powerful, yet also pure and precise Hermitage. It's rich and full-bodied on the palate yet holds onto a fabulous sense of purity and elegance. It will keep for 2-3 decades. I feel as though my ratings on the wines of Ferraton go up every year, and these 2016s are another brilliant, incredibly consistent lineup from this team. It’s worth mentioning that Ferraton is run by Michel Chapoutier. However, they have a separate, designated winemaking team. The only drawback to these wines is that, by and large, they’re made in tiny quantities.

Smoky and cedary up front, the 2016 Ermitage Les Dionnières is already drinkable. Cola and black olive notes give this medium to full-bodied wine a decidedly savory look, but it finishes velvety and long.