Possessing the bright acidity and firm tannic edge of the vintage, the 2005 Hermitage Gambert de Loche has a healthy ruby color as well as notes of tobacco leaf, mint, smoky dark fruits and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, focused and lively, yet still nicely concentrated, it should hit full maturity in another 4-5 years and drink well through 2030.

Quite dark, with bittersweet cocoa, coffee, fig paste and blackberry jam notes that are carried by fine-grained tannins. The fleshy, toasty finish shows some purity, but this is for fans of the toasty style. Drink now through 2011. 1,400 cases made.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Hermitage Select to Add