98-100. Could the 2006 Ermitage l'Ermite be even better? It is more seamless and perhaps slightly more flamboyant and showy, and that always tends to impress me with a wine this young and concentrated. Dense bluish/purple to the rim, it has an extraordinary purity of fruit, crushed rock intermixed with some spring flowers, graphite, and licorice. This is just an amazing wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2060.

99. Lastly, from the very dome of the granite hill of Ermitage is the 2005 Ermitage l?Ermite. An extraordinarily powerful wine that probably needs 10-15 years in the bottle (last year I thought 20 was probably conservative), this is a 100-year wine and probably best appreciated by our descendants rather than anyone currently over the age of 30. Dense purple to the rim, with notes of crushed rock, charcoal, roasted meats, and enormous quantities of blue and black fruits, this wine is almost painfully rich and thick, with mouthsearing levels of tannin and zesty acidity. Monumental! Anticipated maturity: 2020-2080.

"The dark ruby/purple-hued 2004 Crozes-Hermitage Les Varonniers exhibits a smoky perfume of herbs, olives, black cherries, licorice, and subtle oak. Elegant and finesse-styled without the power and concentration of the 2003, it is a classic Crozes to enjoy over the next 10-12 years."

99-100/100. One of the single greatest red wines I have ever tasted is the 2003 Ermitage l?Ermite. With 15.5% alcohol and a level of concentration the likes of which I have never before experienced, this wine has no historic reference point or precedent. Possessing off the charts richness and intensity, yet incredible vigor and refreshingness, it will require a decade of cellaring, but I?m sure bottles will be drunk with great pleasure circa 2099+. What an accomplishment!

Note : 98-100 / 100

4,5 étoiles sur 5. Dans une phase fermée, on perçoit un très bon potentiel, avec une matière riche, de laminéralité et beaucoup de structure. L'élevage doit se fondre.

9/10

Note : 99+ / 100

Marvellous nose. Splendid fruit. Really lovely flowery fruit. Not a bit over the top. This is the best of the 1999s. Rich, full and profound. Super extract of fruit. Very fine grip. Real class. Quite splendid. From 2009.

Note : 96 / 100

Dégusté à la barrique. Robe rubis profond. Belle vibrance des arômes relevés de mûre, de minéraux et d'herbes fraîches. Cet Ermitage pénétrant est doté d'une structure puissante, mais il révèle actuellement beaucoup moins de volume que le Pavillon. Son boisé est très agressif. La finale, très longue et très puissante, présente un aspect brut presque vert. Je ne peux imaginer que ce vin ne deviendra pas tout simplement exceptionnel mais, je dois reconnaître qu'il m'inquiète presque, tant il est incroyablement pas du tout évolué. Jugement différé. ?.

Tasted from barrel. Deep ruby. Pungent, vibrant aromas of blackberry, minerals and fresh herbs. Penetrating and powerfully structured, but currently showing much less volume than the Pavillon. The oak element seems quite raw today. Very long, powerful finish also shows a raw, almost green aspect. I can't imagine that this wine won't turn out to be outstanding, but today it's frightfully unevolved. Judgment deferred. ?.

The 1998 Ermitage "Le Pavillon" and 1998 Hermitage "l'Ermite" are astonishing wines. Yields for both were around 15 hectoliters per hectare. "L'Ermite" is situated on the dome of Hermitage, adjacent to the famed chapel owned by the Jaboulet family. The explosive, exotic, flamboyant character of the 1998 Hermitage "l'Ermite" is shocking when compared to the more restrained "Le Pavillon" and "Le Méal". A huge, rich, quintessential Syrah, it reveals striking minerality, fabulous quantities of jammy black fruits, and an ostentatious personality. Unctuously-textured and extremely full-bodied, yet impeccably-balanced and pure, it will be at its finest between 2008-2040.
Note : 98 / 100

Splendid nose. A touch of cumin together with black chocolate, coffee and liquorice. Fine on the palate except not quite the acidity of the red Ermitage Le Pavillon 1998. Yet enough grip. Very fine. From 2008.

Les arômes complexes et subtils de cassis, de framboise, de fumé, de poudre à canon, de cuir et d'herbes rôties sont caractéristiques d'un hermitage. Monumental, épais et extraordinairement profond sans être lourd, ce vin à l'élégance magnifique offre un velouté superbe. La finale dévoile des tannins riches, extrêmement doux ainsi qu'une persistance subtile sensationnelle. Renversant ! 95 (+?).

Classic complex. subtle Hermitage aromas of cassis, raspberry, smoke, gunpowder, leather and roasted herbs. Huge, thick and extraordinarily. deep without being heavy. A wine of great class and sweetness. Finishes with lush, thoroughly sweet tannins and great subtle persistence. Amazing juice. 95 (+?).

Robe rubis très sombre. Le nez, séveux, offre des arômes quelque peu sauvage de petits fruits noirs confits. Ce vin, soyeux et très épais, dévoile une bonne acidité qui confère de la netteté aux saveurs. Il est moins bavard en bouche mais peut-être même plus profond et plus concentré que Le Pavillon. La finale, explosive, extrêmement longue, est très puissante mais cependant douce grâce à des tanins mûrs parfaitement fondus.

The fabulous1997 Hermitage l'Ermite possesses the ripeness and exotic characteristics of a great Pomerol, but the structure, smoky minerality, and power of Hermitage. The color is a saturated black/ruby. The wine is rich, chewy, thick, and impeccably well-balanced. lt will be more approachable in its youth than the 1996 l'Ermite, but is capable of lasting 30-40 years.
Note : 91-94 / 100

Very lovely nose. Marvellous finesse. Splendid fruit. Real style here. This has the most class, the most definition, the most depth. Not a blockbuster but marvellously integrated. Very fine, especially for the vintage. From 2005.

One of the candidates for France's wine of the vintage is unquestionably Chapoutier's 1996 Hermitage l'Ermite. In October, 1997 I reported that this was a virtually perfect wine made from a small parcel of vines, believed to be over 100 years old, located close to the tiny white chapel owned by the Jaboulets on the highest part of the Hermitage Hill. Yields were a minuscule 9 hectoliters per hectare. Now in bottle, this wine is unbelievable! Unfortunately, only 30 cases were exported to the United States. The wine boasts a saturated black / purple color, as well as a phenomenal nose of rose petals, violets, blackberries, cassis, and pain grillé. In the mouth, it is phenomenally rich, with a viscous texture, and a multidimensional, layered finish that lasts for over a minute. lts purity, perfect equilibrium, and unbelievable volume and richness are the stuff of legends. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050.
Note : 99 / 100

Robe rubis profond aux reflets violacés. Le nez mêle des arômes de kirsch, de viande fumée, de réglisse, de minéraux et de poudre de cacao. L?attaque offre une belle onctuosité puis le vin s?avère complètement replié sur lui-même. Mais cet Hermitage est gras et gorgé de saveurs de petits fruits noirs et de violette. Les tanins puissants sont un peu plus poudreux que ceux du Pavillon. Ce vin révèle d?emblée son ampleur et son élégance. Il est vraiment impressionnant.