Chapoutier, Ermitage Meal Vintage:2011 on a lingering candied violet

on a lingering candied violet note

This has the legs to age well over the medium to even longer-term but should drink reasonably well young if desired

Brunate and Rocche dell Annunziata

weight and power as well as a bit more complexity to the mineral-driven and impeccably well-balanced finish that is both explosive and palate staining

Chapoutier, Ermitage Meal Vintage:2011 on a lingering candied violetEven inkier in color than the 2010, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal is as good as Hermitage gets. Locked and loaded with phenomenal notes of jammy black raspberries, creme de cassis, crushed violets, smoked earth and spice, it's thick and unctuous on the palate, with incredible density, a huge mid palate and a layered, multi dimensional, seamless, elegant texture that just keeps you coming back and begging for another sip. More hedonistic and voluptuous