2013 Hermitage
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Tasting notes
Brilliant violet. Complex mineral- and smoke-accented scents of dark fruit liqueur, violet and olive paste gain urgency from a smoky mineral quality . Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering sappy blueberry and bitter cherry flavors that deepen and become sweeter with air. Shows excellent depth and vivacity and finishes spicy and very long, displaying a resonating floral quality and building tannins.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.
Saturated ruby. Expansive aromas of blueberry liqueur, black pepper and spicecake, with hints of woodsmoke and olive in the background. Fleshy and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and sharpened by smoky minerality. Chewy and appealingly sweet on the long, floral finish, which is framed by fine-grained tannins. This wine shouts Hermitage.
Bottled. Élevage in oak. A little heavy and attentuated for now. Acacia honey and richness. For the long term with its sultry undertow. Citrus and verveine. (JR)