1994 Hermitage Le Chevalier de Sterimberg

The Jaboulet family declassified their famed Hermitage La Chapelle and Crozes-Hermitage Thalabert in both the 1992 and 1993 vintages. I was hoping for more impressive wines in 1994. The white wines are simple and medium-bodied, with barely enough fruit. I actually preferred the 1994 Crozes-Hermitage La Mule Blanche to the more expensive 1994 Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg. The latter wine, which is dominated by oak, is high in acidity, with little richness, weight, or thickness on the palate. I tasted all of these wines twice - just to be sure. Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel (212) 355-0700 Dec 1995, www.robertparker.com