Steady red robe; the bouquet gives a full-on cassis, a crushed cassis air that has an elegant curve to it. The palate is also strong on cassis or blackcurrant, resembles liqueur de Dijon in a fluid, round style. Uncomplicated Hermitage, for restaurants or close to solo drinking at the zinc bar. Very light oaking present here, and tannins hardly evident. This isn’t his usual style, it lacks true body, oomph. `It is like 2000. It is more silky, less tannic, easy to drink than usual,` Marc Sorrel. 3*