Unfortunately, only 40 cases of this special unfiltered bottling were made for the American importer. Producer Florent Viale owns approximately three acres of 55-year old vines in the lieux-dit on Hermitage hill called Baume. In what was a disastrous vintage for this appellation (only two other noteworthy 1993 Hermitages were produced, Chapoutier's Pavillon and that of J. L. Chave), this 1993 stands out for its fine color saturation, intensity, body, and concentration. The wine's opaque black ruby color is followed by an intense, fragrant nose of sweet Syrah fruit (smoke, animal, and cassis). Dense and highly extracted, with sweet tannin and stunning richness and length, this knock-out Hermitage is the early candidate for the appellation's finest wine of the vintage! Drink it over the next 20+ years. Importer: Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel (703) 888-7939