2014 Ermitage Le Meal
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Tasting notes
Wow, that is an extraordinary nose! Opulent, rich fruit – pineapple, mango, preserved citrus, toasted oak, butter, toasted nuts – what a wine! Absolutely singing. (RH)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Full bottle 1,387 g. Certified-biodynamic Marsanne. Cold-settled must. Half was fermented in new demi-muids and half in 'vats'. Aged in casks with lees-stirring for 10 to 12 months. Deep honey-gold. Lightly reduced, struck-matchy and really lively - much more so than many Marsannes. Elements of honeysuckle and lots of maturity, just an edge of beeswax. Still remarkably fresh with a dry, saline finish. Lime freshness. I would guess this is in its rather glorious second stage of evolution. (JR)
Bright purple. High-pitched aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, potpourri and smoky minerals are complemented by suggestions of cracked pepper and cola. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blueberry and violet pastille flavors that become more energetic with air. Chewy tannins build steadily on the finish, which lingers with impressive tenacity and resonating mineral and floral qualities.
The sweetly fruited, downright sexy 2014 Ermitage le Meal offers plenty of raspberry jam, toasted bread and floral notes in a ripe, expansive, mouth-filling style. Like all the wines here, the tannin quality is incredible. You can drink this today with ample pleasure, but it will keep for two decades.