2018 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Greal

Opaque ruby. Seductively perfumed black and blue fruit liqueur, smoky bacon, candied violet and olive paste aromas show superb delineation; spice and mineral notes build in the glass. Displays palate-coating, mineral-accented cassis, cherry-cola, fruitcake and violet pastille flavors that deepen and become firmer as the wine gains air. A wonderfully long, smoky features developing tannins and resonating floral, mineral and exotic spice qualities. Ninety percent of the fruit here comes from Le Meal, the rest from Les Greffieux. 96 points

(used 228-litre cask, 17 casks this year, not had so many since 1999) deep robe. There is a bull’s blood intensity on the nose, concerted black fruits, black olives – it is sleek and profound, a real Child of the Night, is slinky, with most welcoming fruit beckoning you in. The palate engages with a wavy black fruit offer; the pleasure is sensaround, and there is naughty raciness in its svelte fruit. I find it has more hidden depths than 2017, is wholesome, and very, very persistent, flourishes on the close. It has subtleties, perhaps more than 2017, carries some Burgundian tendencies, most sexy fruit, silky and savoury, very long and sensuous. 6 stars