2007 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Greal

Ruby-red. Deeper and smokier than the normale, displaying scents of cherry, cassis, licorice and smoked meat. Dense and chewy in texture, with pungent dark fruit compote and violet pastille flavors given grip by dusty tannins. An altogether more serious and formidable wine than the basic bottling, with greater finishing richness and a larger tannic structure. Still, I suspect that fans of finesse might score the straight Hermitage higher. 92 points