2020 Marc Sorrel Hermitage Le Greal

The 2020 Hermitage Le Greal looks like another terrific success. A blend of 90% Le Meal and 10% Les Greffieux that includes a small proportion of white grapes, it delivers waves of vibrant raspberry fruit, embedded with nuances of black olive and salted licorice. Full-bodied and intense, weighing in at around 15.5% alcohol, it`s a bold, velvety-textured beauty that must be tasted to be believed. 96-98 points

(used 228-litre cask) very dark robe; cordite, smoke airs feature with intense blackberry on the nose – for all that, it’s well measured, has soaked up the sun rays, glistens with well being, gives a very good start. The palate shows more richness than the nose, is profound, lingering, very deep, coated. Its richness comes from within, then there’s a burst out of gaol on an explosive finale. It’s more harmonious than the 2019, gives a good combination of salt, moss, iodine, with cloves on the finish. It will go a long way, is aromatic, has compelling certainty with silk for now, flair to emerge. There’s a cluster of powdered tannin on the close, velvet there, too. It will go well with spiced cuisine. From 2028 or so, decant. It`s hovering above *****, so gets the ****** call-up for now. 15°. Drink to 2054-56. 6 stars