2009 M. Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite

Tasted blind. Bright youthful crimson. Unusual balsam nose. Hugely distinctive. Savoury finish. Well-managed tannins. Very assertive, ripe but not sweet fruit in the middle. Very appetising. Pure and clean. (JR)

Seemingly the most structured and traditional of the Ermitages, the 2009 M. Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite comes from 80+ year-old vines and is 100% destemmed Syrah that’s aged in a combination of new and 1-year-old barrels. It possesses an absolutely brilliant array of black raspberries, smoke, graphite, mineral, and assorted floral characteristics on the nose, and this is followed up by a full-bodied, structured, dense, and layered Syrah that has masses of ripe tannin, gorgeous precision and focus, and a blockbuster finish. As with the Le Pavillon, this needs a decade or more in the cellar, and will have an incredibly long life ahead of it.

Bright purple. Explosive aromas of candied red fruits, potpourri and incense, with a medicinal nuance adding complexity. Stains the palate with intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted by smoky mineraity. Becomes spicier and deeper with air and finishes with superb clarity and lingering florality. By all means allow this to rest for at least another five years.