More difficult to evaluate, the highly extracted, opaque purple-colored 2010 Hermitage reveals notes of graphite, smoke, roasted meats and bouquet garni along with astringent tannins and a bitter character that are cause for concern. A big, bold, muscular, atypical style of Hermitage for Belle, it needs to be forgotten for 7-10 years and drunk over the following two decades. This has long been one of my favorite estates since I first tasted their wines with importer Robert Kacher nearly thirty years ago. While there are only tiny quantities of the Hermitage, it is consistently a fine offering from this family-owned domaine. The 2010s follow the same stylistic tendencies of the 2011s as well as the 2009s. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 239-1275