Lastly, the inky colored 2012 Hermitage competes with the 2009 and 2010 (and frankly, tastes like a hypothetical blend of the two) in terms of quality. Possessing terrific notes of crème de cassis, vanilla bean, toasted spice and classic Hermitage powdered-rock-like minerality, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textured, with building tannin and vibrant acidity that emerges on the finish. It shows textbook Hermitage character and will drink nicely for 10-15 years.

This offers gorgeous aromas of warm ganache, Turkish coffee and steeped plum fruit, with the core of blackberry and fig paste, singed bay leaf and licorice root filling in quickly. Everything rumbles through the finish for now, but cellaring should round this into form. Best from 2017 through 2027. 30 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Hermitage Select to Add