M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2018

Coming all from the pure granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit, on the western side of Hermitage, the 2018 Ermitage Le Pavillon is 100% Syrah that was all destemmed and aged 18 months in just 15% new French oak. This beauty has closed down since bottling and will need considerable bottle age, but it’s a beauty. Deep purple-hued, with a meaty, gamey bouquet of black and blue fruits, crushed rock, liquid violets, olives, and acacia flowers, this sensational wine hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a tight, backward mouthfeel, present tannins, and a great finish. As I wrote last year, this isn't for those seeking instant gratification and a solid 7-8 years of bottle age are warranted, but I suspect it will earn a triple-digit score at maturity and should have 40-50 years of longevity.

The 2018 Ermitage le Pavillon is a plush, full-bodied beauty that combines fruity notes of blueberries with savory notes of black olives and marries them together with rich, earthy notes. Almost creamy across the mid-palate, it finishes with soft waves of velvety tannins. I expect this will firm up a bit prior to bottling, then drink well for two decades.

This is silky with real tannic finesse and while it doesn't have the intensity of some vintages it has beautiful balance and purity with sweet plum, violets and blueberry. It’s not as long as some but still displays that Bessards straightness of character. Will drink soon. Drinking Window 2022 - 2033.