2015 Chapoutier Ermitage L`Ermite Rouge

Dark purple. Expansive aromas of dark fruit preserves, incense, black pepper, violet and spicecake, joined by hints of olive and cola that build in the background. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering wonderfully concentrated yet energetic black and blue fruit and violet pastille flavors that are lifted and brightened by a smoky mineral flourish. Chewy and appealingly sweet on the strikingly long, floral-dominated finish, which is framed by youthful, steadily building tannins. 96 points

3 ha, 100% Syrah, 80+ year old vines at the top of the hill around the chapel on loess over granite. Dark, deep, brooding. Aromatically this veers towards the mineral; petrichor and fleur du sel. Sublime freshness, almost like sea air. Full-bodied, but strapped in with tannin. The quality of the tannin is very impressive; highly assertive, almost saw-toothed. But crucially they are ripe and elegant. This is incredibly long and pure. It will take time to come around, but will be superlative. Straight, long, as smart as a whip. Drink 2027 to 2060. 98-100 points