2011 Hermitage Les Miaux

More streamlined and complex than the '12, the 2011 Hermitage Le Miaux offers up plenty of darker fruits, exotic flowers, violets, loamy earth and olive tapenade in its medium+-bodied, rich and nicely textured profile. Showing more meatiness with air, as well as good mid-palate depth and sweet tannin, it is an outstanding Hermitage that will have 10-12 years of longevity, possibly more. Drink now-2023 (Not yet released) Across the board, this is a superb lineup of wines that delivers high quality at all price points. Run by the team at Chapoutier, headed by Pierre-Henri Morel, the wines are made by Damien Brisset. This was a large tasting and I've simply listed the wines in the order we went through them. Within a vintage, the wines are broken up into three categories, the traditional releases, the Lieu-Dit releases, and the selections parcellaires releases. The 2011s are slightly softer and more streamlined than the 2012s. As a whole, they offer charming, supple and more medium-bodied profiles that will reward earlier drinking. Looking at the traditional releases in 2011, these wines show classic, yet approachable and delicious characters. In most cases they represent good value. Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

Youthful purple. Smoky cherry, plum and blackcurrant aromas are enlivened by a peppery note. Broad and deep in dark fruit flavor but shows very good energy thanks to bright acidity and a late kick of spiciness. Shows fine clarity and tenacity on the finish, which leaves smoke and dark berry notes behind.

More streamlined and complex than the '12, the 2011 Hermitage Le Miaux offers up plenty of darker fruits, exotic flowers, violets, loamy earth and olive tapenade in its medium+-bodied, rich and nicely textured profile. Showing more meatiness with air, as well as good mid-palate depth and sweet tannin, it is an outstanding Hermitage that will have 10-12 years of longevity, possibly more. Drink now-2023 ||(Not yet released)||Across the board, this is a superb lineup of wines that delivers high quality at all price points. Run by the team at Chapoutier, headed by Pierre-Henri Morel, the wines are made by Damien Brisset. This was a large tasting and I've simply listed the wines in the order we went through them. Within a vintage, the wines are broken up into three categories, the traditional releases, the Lieu-Dit releases, and the selections parcellaires releases. The 2011s are slightly softer and more streamlined than the 2012s. As a whole, they offer charming, supple and more medium-bodied profiles that will reward earlier drinking. Looking at the traditional releases in 2011, these wines show classic, yet approachable and delicious characters. In most cases they represent good value. Wine Advocate.December, 2013