2019 Hermitage La Chapelle

Dark, vivid purple. Highly perfumed, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry preserves, incense, olive and pungent flowers show superb clarity. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering deeply concentrated and sharply defined black and blue fruit preserve, candied violet, bitter chocolate and fruitcake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Finishes wonderfully long with an emphatic, mineral cut, a repeating floral note and youthfully gripping tannins.

- Josh Raynolds (12/2022)

A modern-styled, powerful red that seduces with rich blackberry ganache, heady cassis and vanilla paste flavors underscored by tobacco and charred cedar. A bitter orange peel note and firm graphite edge add brightness to the finish, which is framed in silky yet firm tannins. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases imported.

- J.M. (11/2022)

Last year, I giddily speculated whether the 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle would warrant a 100-point score. While close—and I wouldn't completely discount it reaching that pinnacle in another decade or two—I'm not sure this wine is as good as I thought. It boasts exciting aromas of roasted meat, mocha, crushed stone, plum and cassis on the nose. It's full-bodied, concentrated, richly tannic and velvety in texture. It's long and complex on the finish, adding hints of cracked pepper and salted licorice. And yet, as much as I enjoyed tasting it and as undeniably great it is, angels didn't sing from the heavens. Maybe next bottle.

- Joe Czerwinski (01/2022)