M. Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux 2020

More game, bacon fat, truffly earth, and both red and black fruits emerge from the 2020 Ermitage Les Greffieux, another deep, rich, incredibly concentrated wine from this estate. Coming from the more sedimentary soils at the base of Hermitage, destemmed and aged in 20% new oak, this full-bodied, monster of a wine has sweet, velvety tannins, a huge mid-palate, and a gorgeous finish. This is up there with the finest vintages of this cuvée I've tasted. Give bottles 5-7 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 20-25 years.

While normally the most forward of Chapoutier's selections parcellaires from Hermitage, the full-bodied 2020 Ermitage les Greffieux looks to be showing a bit more structure, while still remaining, silky, fine and elegant. Notes of crushed stone, fresh mint, violets and purple raspberries appear on the nose, while the finish is long and harmonious, with an ample dusting of ripe tannins.

What a sensual Hermitage this is. So ripe and so silky on the rich yet beautifully balanced palate. In spite of the enormous depth this has a certain lightness of touch. Very long, velvety finish. And yes, this also has wonderful black fruit aromas with delicate smoky and peppery nuances. From a vineyard with a Rhone sedimentary soil. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.

Attractive fruity perfume straight away, ripe blackberries. There's an inner sweetness to the fruit, the alcohol is raised, adding a little more sweetness. Generous roundness, a very accessible and juicy style of Hermitage. Great tannic ripeness and generous in load, but feels a little bit too ripe and easy to promise great future complexity. Pleasure though? Undoubtedly.