The 2012 Hermitage Les Chirats de Saint Christophe, which was tasted as a barrel sample, offers textbook dark fruits, black olive, underbrush and bacon fat nuances as well a medium-bodied, supple and textured feel in the mouth. While it doesn’t have a massive amount of material, nor density, it is well made, balanced and should evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade. Coming from the schist soils located just north of the town of Vienne (close to Cote Rotie), in the Seyssuel region, and with a slightly similar southern exposure to its more well-known neighbor, the team of Pierre Gaillard, Yves Cuilleron and Francoise Villard are, along with a few other dedicated growers (Stephane Ogier being one of them), showing the potential of this “new” (in the Roman times, it was more famous than Cote Rotie) region. Playing in the more elegant, finesse side of the spectrum, these efforts have beautiful, energetic and lengthy profiles, with solid potential. In addition, they release a number of other cuvees from all of the northern Rhone (and some southern Rhone) appellations. Looking specifically at the efforts from the Seyssuel region (which is north of the town of Vienne and comprised of schist soils), they release two cuvees; the Sotanum, which is a rich, more full-bodied release; and the Heluicum, which is more finesse-driven. Importer: DHI Selection, New York, NY; tel. (516) 869-9170

Tasted out of bottle, the 2011 Hermitage Les Chirats de Saint Christophe is an outstanding effort that has an almost Cote Rotie-like freshness and elegance. Offering raspberry, blueberry and violet notes, this medium-bodied, fresh, pure and lengthy effort will drink nicely for a decade. Coming from the schist soils located just north of the town of Vienne (close to Cote Rotie), in the Seyssuel region, and with a slightly similar southern exposure to its more well-known neighbor, the team of Pierre Gaillard, Yves Cuilleron and Francoise Villard are, along with a few other dedicated growers (Stephane Ogier being one of them), showing the potential of this “new” (in the Roman times, it was more famous than Cote Rotie) region. Playing in the more elegant, finesse side of the spectrum, these efforts have beautiful, energetic and lengthy profiles, with solid potential. In addition, they release a number of other cuvees from all of the northern Rhone (and some southern Rhone) appellations. Looking specifically at the efforts from the Seyssuel region (which is north of the town of Vienne and comprised of schist soils), they release two cuvees; the Sotanum, which is a rich, more full-bodied release; and the Heluicum, which is more finesse-driven. Importer: DHI Selection, New York, NY; tel. (516) 869-9170

The outstanding 2003 Hermitage Les Chirats de St.-Christophe exhibits good acidity (probably added), notions of toasty oak, and an elegant, delicate personality (unusual for this vintage). It appears somewhat manipulated and worked, but it is a very good, if somewhat soulless effort. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The elegant 1999 Hermitage Les Chirats offers sweet cassis fruit, earth, pepper, and spice characteristics, medium to full body, and moderate tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565