Decanter: 93 Punkte
"This has a deep, almost opaque purple colour. It’s ripe on the nose, with notes of damson along with blackberry and a touch of graphite, the oak work is discreet. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s ripe and velvety on the palate then finishes firm and dry with notes of blackcurrant and dark chocolate. The acidity is fairly low, but the wine feels balanced. Remarkably approachable already, this is a relatively compact Hermitage, with very fine, detailed, ripe tannins and good freshness. It’s fruity and medium-bodied rather than hugely powerful, quite light in concentration. Should become Burgundian in style with age. Match with subtle dishes rather than robustly flavoured food. Its gentle concentration and tannic structure suggest medium-term rather than long-term ageing. Grapes were picked between 29 August and 13 September. Most of the blend comes from lieux-dits Les Bessards, Le Méal, Les Greffieux and Les Rocoules (also some parcels on Varogne and Les Grandes Vignes). All destemmed. Sorted on a vibrating table, then by optical sorting machine. Crushed, then fermented one third in stainless steel, the rest in barriques, demi-muids and foudres (15% new oak), then 12 months of elevage. Barrel sample." - Matt Walls (10/2023)
Jane Anson: 98 Punkte
"A wonderful glass of wine, juicy, controlled, restrained, fragrant, enticing. The tannins are cashmere smooth, waves of crushed raspberries and wild strawberries fill the mouth, and this is easy to fall in love with. Fine tannins, blackberry and cranberry fruits, softly sweet while retaining grip and power. 21ha of vines. Caroline Frey owner and winemaker. Gregory Joannes-Hurst director." (07/2024)
