1979 Ermitage Le Meal

This remains a youthful yet sensational Hermitage. Deep ruby/black in color (no amber) with an explosive bouquet of toasty oak, tar, licorice, and jammy black-cherry fruit, this full-bodied wine has stunning layers of fruit, plenty of tannin, and exceptional length. Tasted three times since the first edition of this book, it has not budged in evolution. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2020. Last tasted 6/96.