1993 L'Ermita

The 1993 L'Ermita, thrown in as a ringer, is from the up and coming northeastern Spain viticultural area of Priorato. Made from old vine Grenache blended with young vine Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged in small oak casks, this oaky, sweet, richly fruity, grapy wine was somewhat of a shock to the palate after the 1900 Palmer. Nevertheless, it displays the potential of this underrated viticultural area that has turned out such superb wines as the Clos Erasmus and Clos L'Orbac. If this wine had not possessed such noticeable oak (which was exaggerated by the lack of new oak aromas in the preceding Bordeaux wines), it might have merited a higher rating. The notes for this wine are taken from the description of Series I of the 1995 tasting conducted in Munich by Helga and Hardy Rodenstock. Many years after the tasting from which this note derives allegations were made concerning the authenticity of old and rare bottles of wine sold by Hardy Rodenstock to collectors around the world. The matter has been the subject of numerous articles, litigation and at least one book. Mr. Parker believes that the wines served to him at this tasting were authentic so this note and the others from that specific tasting continue to be posted on eRobertParker.com.