1998 Hermitage Le Greal

Dark crimson. Edge of sweetness and after shave and definitely masculine. Chewy dry finish – just a bit too fruitless. Where’s the fruit? Short. (JR)

Don't forget the spectacular 1998 Hermitage Le Greal (rated 95+). Although it requires 7-8 years of cellaring, it is one of the finest wines Sorrel has made, and it has the potential to be as good as his 1990, 1989, 1988, and perhaps the 1978 and 1979 his father produced. Nevertheless, it is only for connoisseurs with patience as a serious investment in cellaring is required. Not a single new oak barrel can be found in Sorrel's cellars, which are on the main street of Tain l'Hermitage. His one concession to modernism is his air-conditioned cellar. Production is small, with 1,000 cases of white and red Hermitage, and the rest Crozes-Hermitage. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate # 140.

A big step up over the 2000, the sensational 1998 Hermitage le Greal was harvest on September 10, from tiny yields, and saw only partial destemming. Its still youthful ruby, opaque color is followed by classic notes of tobacco leaf, tapenade, roasted herbs, pepper and assorted dark fruits. Big, concentrated and structured on the palate, with a serious kick of tannin, it has brilliant mid-palate depth, full-bodied richness and a great finish. Sorrel commented that this wine was shockingly tannic on release, and even today, at age 17, it still needs another 3-4 years of cellaring. Nevertheless, this brilliant wine will have 3-4 decades of longevity. eRobertParker.com.September, 2015