The 2014 Ermitage Les Greffieux offers a big mouthful of fruit as well as a more gamey profile in its black olive, beef blood, smoke and ripe dark fruits. This cuvée comes from the middle of the slope (which is slightly higher up in the Greffieux parcel) and is aged in 20% new oak. Drink this full-bodied, meaty, rich and unctuous beauty anytime over the coming two decades.

Dense for the vintage, but with good restraint, as the core of lightly mulled plum, blackberry and black currant fruit rolls along, flecked with dried anise and mint notes. Shows a licorice root underpinning on the finish, with a frank loamy accent. Best from 2018 through 2030. 10 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Ermitage Select to Add

Dark purple. A highly perfumed, complex bouquet evokes dark fruit liqueur, smoky minerals and pungent flowers, complemented by notes of olive and anise. Stains the palate with juicy black and blue fruit flavors given bite by zesty acidity and a peppery element. Clings with fantastic tenacity on the sweet, dark fruit-dominated finish, which is framed by velvety, slow-building tannins.