M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, l'Ermite Rouge 2013

A strikingly complex nose of berries, black pepper, smoke, grilled meat, dried herbs, spices and lard. Give it time to unfurl in your glass. Full body with fine tannins and bright acidity. The mineral backbone at the centre shows clarity and vibrancy but turns vertical with its firm and massively mineral tannins. There is so much spice and freshness here for a decade-old wine. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. It's delicious but will continue to age beautifully for the next decade.

The 2013 L’Ermite is another beautiful effort. It shows the cooler, crisper nature of the vintage while still packing a beautiful depth of fruit. Liquid rock, charcoal, graphite, cassis, and blackcurrant fruits all emerge from this inky purple-hued effort. Full-bodied, with both tannins and acidity galore, it’s about 4-5 years away from primetime and will keep for 30+ years in cold cellars.

Drink before 2050

Bright purple. An impressively complex, expressive nose displays intense aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, incense, allspice, and smoky minerals. Spicy, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors show superb focus and energy, and a suave floral pastille quality emerges as the wine opens up. It shows a compelling blend of richness and vivacity, finishing with superb lift, harmonious tannins, and outstanding persistence.

Drink 2021 - 2029

The elegant 2013 Ermitage L'Ermite opens with jammy red and black fruits, tobacco, crushed violets, cured meat and earthy undertones. Medium-bodied and refreshing, the 2013 engages the palate with solid concentration and spot-on balance. Grippy tannins give firm structure to what is essentially a classic L'Ermite that transparently shows the characteristics of a cooler vintage.

Drink 2022 - 2030