2010 Hermitage
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining purple. Intense dark berry and Asian spice aromas, with a sexy potpourri quality and a suggestion of woodsmoke. Deeply pitched cassis and bitter cherry flavors show impressive clarity and lift, picking up notes of star anise and allspice on the back half. Packs a serious punch but comes off as lithe, with excellent finishing clarity and mineral-driven persistence.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Bright purple. Captivating bouquet combines blackberry and blueberry liqueur, mocha, bitter chocolate and pipe tobacco, plus an exotic suggestion of incense. Compellingly rich and expansive, with vibrant black and blue fruit flavors and a strong floral quality. The smoky, spicy, very long finish features suave tannins and lingering florality.
50-plus-year-old vines from a blend of sites. Mid to dark crimson. Very dark and dramatic. At the moment the oak seems a little obtrusive but the fruit is massively concentrated and classically Hermitage but with an unusual sweetness. Very dry finish. Very flamboyant. Far from the classical ideal but a pretty exciting wine. Very plush at first. (JR)