A wine that Michel is convinced will end up being a perfect wine, the 2013 Ermitage le Meal is certainly one of the top wines in the vintage. Stunning on all counts, with a surprisingly serious, focused feel in its black raspberry, creme de cassis, crushed flowers, lavender and gunpowder bouquet, it offers full-bodied richness, thrilling purity and a blockbuster finish. While this cuvee is normally upfront and sexy from the get-go, short-term cellaring should be the name of the game with this vintage.

2.2 ha, 100% Syrah. This wine is produced with grapes coming from Le Méal hillside (150-200 metres altitude). This slope is composed of high terraces of shingles and clay. Vines are over 50 years old. Yields are again exceptionally low, at around 20 hl/ha. 13.2% but in last 10 years almost 14.5%. A genuine clos (walled vineyard) – most unusual. Broad and quite rich. Very fine tannins are there in profusion. Only a medium charge of fruit. MC says this was always known as a blackberry wine. Very fresh and lively – punchy. Very dry finish. (JR)