2007 Hermitage Les Miaux

A longer term offering is the inky/purple-hued 2007 Hermitage Le Miaux. Dense creme de cassis, smoked meat, herb, and licorice notes emerge from this opulent yet elegant effort. Revealing plenty of the vintage’s cool climate acidity and freshness, this full-bodied wine should drink nicely for 10-15 years. Eighty percent of this cuvee comes from Hermitage’s Les Dionnieres vineyard. (Not yet released) Owned by Michel Chapoutier, Ferraton has been a solidly reliable, if uninspiring producer until the last several vintages. A few years ago, the Chapoutier team decided to push for maximum quality at this estate, and as a result, the finest wines to emerge thus far are the 2006s, followed by the 2007s. Moreover, prices remain extremely fair as the world marketplace has not yet recognized the rise in quality of Ferraton wines. The white wines performed strongly. Ferraton also produces some single vineyard red and white offerings called Selection Parcellaires. These are the finest wines I have yet tasted from this estate. The 2007 single vineyard reds are slightly lighter and more finesse-styled, with more noticeable acidity. Kudos to Michel Chapoutier and the team at Ferraton for fashioning what are clearly their finest wines to date. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

Deep ruby with a bright rim. Sexy, exotic scents of dark berries, flowers and game, plus a hint of smoky minerals. Sweet cherry-cola and cassis flavors coat the palate, with zesty minerality giving spine to the wine. Gains sweetness with air, finishing with suave vanilla and baking spice qualities. Already seductive but has the depth and structure to reward cellaring.

Bright crimson, charry, tarry note. Not frank at this stage but certainly very friendly for an Hermitage. Very chewy finish – really quite interesting and correct in lightweight idiom, but relatively light for an Hermitage. (JR)