2005 Hermitage Le Greal

Opaque purple. Explosively perfumed, pungent bouquet of ripe cherry and candied plum, with exotic Asian spice and incense notes adding complexity. Intense dark fruit flavors boast remarkable sweetness and depth, becoming spicier and broader with air. I tried to find the tannins but kept hitting a wall of deep berry fruit. This is superb.

Inky purple. Explosive, room-filling blackberry, blueberry and candied plum aromas, with exotic potpourri and sandalwood accents. Deep, concentrated and sweet, offering a stunning array of ripe dark fruits complemented by strong licorice and graphite qualities. The finish emphasizes (supersizes!) textbook syrah fruit, showing an endless procession of ripe red and dark berries. A great Hermitage in the making.