2020 Hermitage
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Tasting notes
Opaque violet color. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, exotic spices, olive, pipe tobacco and candied flowers; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine opens up. Juicy and sharply focused on the mineral-inflected palate, offering intense, mineral-accented boysenberry, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors with a touch of vanilla. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long finish, which features youthfully grippy tannins and lingering spiciness. I also had the chance to try the 2010 version of this wine, and it was a knockout, with deep dark fruit character and suave floral and exotic spice accents. There's still plenty of structure present, so a little time in a decanter, or just plain old patience, is strongly advised.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Lawther MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2020 Hermitage comes all from the more limestone and loess soils on the eastern side of the appellation and will spend 18 months in 30% new French oak. Black raspberries, cassis, truffles, new leather, and Provençal herbs all emerge on the nose, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, masses of tannins, terrific overall balance, and a great, great finish. It's going to offer plenty of charm aromatically in its youth, yet I suspect it will take 4-5 years for these tannins to soften up.
The tarry, black olive-laced 2020 Hermitage follows up those notes with hints of purple raspberries and mulberries. This sturdy, medium to full-bodied offering with bright acids and dusty tannins will take some time to come around. Viale's Syrah comes from parcels near the center of the appellation in Les Beaumes and Les Diognières (also spelled Dionnières).
Aged in demi-muids, a little new. Cask sample. Reticent nose and a little lighter than some Hermitages but it would be a GV introduction to the appellation. (JR)