Dark, vivid ruby. An expansive bouquet displays scents of ripe red and blue fruits, cola and candied violet, along with exotic spice and smoked meat accents. Smooth and fleshy in the mouth, offering sappy black raspberry, kirsch, boysenberry and licorice flavors that are sharpened by a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper. Rich yet energetic as well, finishing appealingly sweet and long, with steadily building tannins and repeating smokiness. JR

Lovely brightness to the fruit. Tannins are a little on the dry side, a bit chewy. Lovely aromatic freshness however, there's a rusticity, but also a deep authenticity to the wine. All whole bunch since 2011. From lieux-dits Le Plantier and Les Bessards, 70-year-old vines. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030
Tasted by: Matt Walls (at Rhône Valley, 05 Oct 2020)

As usual, Sorrel's 2019 Hermitage isn't a big bruiser, but instead delivers silken elegance. Hints of mint (it was made using 100% whole bunches) accent redcurrants and ripe cherries, and while the palate is medium to full-bodied, it never seems heavy or overly rich (it clocks in at 14% alcohol), instead delivering supple tannins and tremendous inner-mouth fragrance. It should drink well for more than a decade. JC