2000 Hermitage

(already assembled; tasted from demi-muid; Viale owns parcels in the lieux-dit Dionnieres and Baumes) Full saturated ruby. Youthful aromas of cassis, flint, espresso, minerals and spices. Dense but very tightly wound; offers lovely vinosity but this is distinctly less evolved and less expressive than the Crozes bottlings—hardly a surprise, as this is Hermitage. Primary flavors of black fruits, spices and gunflint. Not fleshy but not tough either. Finishes with fine, smooth tannins.