Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2021 Chapoutier

Professional reviews

Jancis Robinson (18)

Deep crimson. Very savoury, expressive nose. Unexpectedly juicy palate – most unusual! Almost approachable until the chewy finish. Very sturdy and this is the Chapoutier 2021 Hermitage that is most like the Hermitage stereotype.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

While all the Hermitage releases here are beautiful wines, if I had to pick one. it would be the 2021 Ermitage L'Ermite, which comes from a later, cooler terroir of decomposed granite (and even a touch of limestone). As with the other releases here, it was destemmed, and this cuvée will see 18 months in 25% new French oak. Violets, crushed stone, liquid smoke, leather, and assorted darker, almost blue fruits emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied and has a laser-like focus on the palate, with fine yet building tannins. There's a certain old school-like vibrancy and structure here, and it's going to warrant 3-5 years of bottle before showing some accessibility. The alcohol levels for all three of the single vineyard Hermitage are between 13.5% and 13.8%. I would expect all of these to have 20-25 years of prime drinking.

BOW (8.50)