2018 Ermitage Les Dionnieres
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Tasting notes
The full-bodied 2018 Ermitage Les Dionnières shows the effects of the vineyard location and a hot year in its concentrated scents of black olives, dark chocolate and baked plums. Yet despite the ripeness, this broad, expansive wine is remarkably drinkable, showing a rich, velvety texture and surprising freshness on the long finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
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.
Glass-staining magenta. Aromas of ripe, smoke-tinged dark berries, licorice and pungent flowers are sharpened by building mineral and spice flourishes. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering lush cherry liqueur, blackberry and violet pastille flavors along with cracked pepper and salty olive nuances. Shows impressive energy for its heft and finishes spicy and impressively long, displaying excellent clarity, building tannins and resonating florality. (all de-stemmed fruit and 20% new oak)
100% Syrah. Cask sample. Tasted blind. Red fruits on the nose, in a very subtle and unassuming way. High acidity on the palate. Dry, savoury finish. The tannins are pretty supple already, but the acid is severe, and the complexity needs time to develop. (RH)