Coming from the more limestone soils of this hallowed appellation, the 2018 Ermitage Les Dionni猫res reveals a dense purple color to go with beautiful cassis and blackberry fruits interwoven with lots of burning embers, dried herbs, earth, and a touch of chocolate. With full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, and building tannins, it's a beautiful, classic, flawlessly balanced Hermitage that will benefit from just short-term cellaring and keep for 20 years or more. Maturity: 2021-2042. Score - 97. (jebdunnuck.com, Nov. 19, 2020)
Readers looking for a great introduction to Northern Rh么ne Syrah will love the 2020 Crozes Hermitage La Matini猫re, which comes from a mix of terroirs and was destemmed and brought up mostly in concrete. Crazily complex notes of red and blue fruits, flowers, and ground pepper nuances give way to a medium-bodied, juicy, elegant Crozes that's perfect for enjoying over the coming 4-6 years or so. Maturity: 2022-2028. Score - 91. (jebdunnuck.com, Dec. 15, 2022)
This wine comes from fruit (70% Grenache, 30% Syrah) grown on the left bank of the Rh么ne in alluvial and gravel soils. It's quite aromatic, suggesting blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and licorice, all of which carry over nicely on the palate, along with notes of fresh herbs.