2010 E. Guigal Hermitage

Deep ruby. Explosive, smoke-accented aromas of blackcurrant, cherry pit, violet oil and olive, with a peppery element adding lift. Broad and deeply concentrated on the palate, offering an array of alluringly sweet dark fruit and spice flavors. A massive but graceful Hermitage with strong finishing grip and slow-building tannins.

Philippe Guigal: our vision for this wine is close to that of the Cave Ampuis – assemblage but with 40% Bessard, 40% Greffieux, 10% Murets and 10% l'Hermite.' But they don’t have the luxury of having enough to be able to vinify separately... Very rich and round. Quite a majestic but fragrant nose – may be an Ex Voto. Still very firm and almost rigid and dry. Very dense indeed with a dry finish. Good punch, no excess of oak. Just a little dry but the sample was taken this morning, I think. (JR)

More brooding and backward, the 2010 Hermitage has closed down considerably since I tasted it last year. It offers lots of graphite, crushed rock, leather and smoky dark fruits, full-bodied richness, impressive mid-palate concentration, and a tight, closed feel on the palate. It needs 3-5 years of cellaring and will have three decades of longevity. Sep 2015, www.robertparker.com