Coming from the more limestone soils of this hallowed appellation, the 2018 Ermitage Les Dionnières 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)

This blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan is crafted in the fruit-forward style typical of Michel Chapoutier. It's quite floral, with raspberry, dark chocolate, incense, herbs, spice, and black fruit on the palate. Drink now till 2026.

This wine comes from fruit (70% Grenache, 30% Syrah) grown on the left bank of the Rhône 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.