2001 Hermitage

Good ruby-red. Hugely ripe nose combines roasted currant, cherry, licorice, gunflint, pepper and roasted herbs. At once fat and stony, with chewy, tactile flavors of cherry, leather and earth. Most impressive today on the explosive, palate-staining back end. This classic young Hermitage really calls for a decade of cellaring.

Dark red. Superripe aromas of smoky raspberry, dark chocolate and pepper. Dense, layered and expansive, with expressive flavors of gunflint, current, strawberry and tobacco. Finishes very fresh, with suave, fine tannins. I published a preliminary note last year on a 2001 cuvee that is likely to be Guigal's first domain Hermitage bottling, but this wine is the "regular" negociant release.

(potentially Guigal's first domain bottling of Hermitage, although the decision has not yet been made to bottle this on its own; from vines in Bessard, Greffieux, Murets and l'Hermite) Saturated deep ruby. Superripe aromas of black fruits and gunflint; essence of Hermitage. Dense, sweet and superconcentrated, with utterly primary black fruit flavors. Finishes with great tannic grip and sappy length.