Ermitage Le Meal Rouge 2012 Chapoutier

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (99)

A wine I seem to like more and more every time I taste it, the 2012 Ermitage le Meal is easily the most extroverted, decadent and voluptuously styled Hermitage from this team. Coming from the more limestone soils and warmest spot on Hermitage hill, it exhibits incredible notes of cassis, blackberry, liquid violets, smoked earth and licorice. Full-bodied, deeply fruited and incredibly sexy, it nevertheless never puts a foot wrong, seems weightless in the mouth and offers blockbuster length. I'd happily drink this awesome Hermitage anytime over the coming two decades. There's a tiny 346 cases of this beauty to go around, so don't miss a chance to grab some.

Winespectator (96)

A nice bass line plays here, featuring dark currant, fig and blackberry confiture notes that have melded already with a broad swath of warm charcoal and ganache. Impressive, loamy grip holds the finish, though this will needs a few years to stretch out fully.

BOW (9.25)