Descend into this labyrinth of spices and you may never return. The black fruit and the most perfect violets will take you prisoner and never release you. Absolutely astounding tannin structure, not from the quantity, but from the finesse and the beauty. Then the explosive finish that pulls you up in the direction of syrah nirvana. From biodynamically grown grapes.
2021
M. Chapoutier, Ermitage Rouge L’Ermite 2021 6x75cl 100/100 JS
Top Score: 100 points
“explosive finish that pulls you up in the direction of syrah nirvana”
Price IN BOND
£1,040.00 6 x 75cl Bottles
7 in stock
| Colour | Red |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhône |
100 points James Suckling
100+ points Heiner Lobenberg
L’Ermite comes from the single vineyard Chapelle and is therefore higher than Les Bessards, from which Le Pavillon comes. 100 percent granite soils, but also sandy elements. The wines are therefore finer, more floral, raspberry and playful. It is the culmination of finesse. This is also the nose of the 2021: Concentrated black raspberry, ultra-fine. Orange zest, but also a little kumquat and chili heat. There is also a small hint of passion fruit, light exoticism, lots of spice and peppery heat behind this enormous concentration of finesse and playfulness. It is easy to understand why the La Chapelle vineyard has been one of the best wines in the northern Rhône in recent decades. So chic in the mouth, so playful, almost light and yet so concentrated. If I gave the Pavillon 100 points, I have to give the L’Ermite 100+ if I want this extreme finesse and floweriness. So much violet along with chili, cranberry and fine light licorice. Immense length with a slightly sharp, silky tannin. Yes, this is the pinnacle of finesse in the Northern Rhône. In a style that we haven’t had for a long time. Superb stuff!
98 points Decanter
A fresh, piercing cassis style, that’s very fine and compact on the palate. Powerfully mineral, the wine really dives deep. The tannins are juicy but also energetic and strict. A wine with huge intensity and great driving energy. Not as much flesh as some recent vintages, but this is very classically Ermite with its immense tension and peppery, smoky freshness underneath. No lack, or excess, of ripeness. This is bracing. Vines are south-facing, just behind the Chapelle St Christophe.
94-97 Points Jeb Dunnuck
While all the Hermitage releases here are beautiful wines, if I had to pick one. it would be the 2021 Ermitage L’Ermite, which comes from a later, cooler terroir of decomposed granite (and even a touch of limestone). As with the other releases here, it was destemmed, and this cuvée will see 18 months in 25% new French oak. Violets, crushed stone, liquid smoke, leather, and assorted darker, almost blue fruits emerge on the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied and has a laser-like focus on the palate, with fine yet building tannins. There’s a certain old school-like vibrancy and structure here, and it’s going to warrant 3-5 years of bottle before showing some accessibility. The alcohol levels for all three of the single vineyard Hermitage are between 13.5% and 13.8%. I would expect all of these to have 20-25 years of prime drinking.
