2012 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle
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Tasting notes
Glass-staining ruby. Bright, mineral-accented red and dark berry aromas are complicated by notes of fresh violet and spicecake. At once concentrated and lithe, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that pick up smokiness and sweetness with air. Quite graceful for a young Hermitage, with a light touch that reminds me of Côte-Rotie. Closes spicy and very long, with building florality and smooth tannins sneaking in late.
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Josh Raynolds
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
While billed as a second wine, there’s nothing inferior about the 2012 Hermitage la Petite Chapelle. A terrific wine in its own right, it offers classic currants, black raspberry, smoked earth, ground herbs and subtle meatiness to go with a ripe, full-bodied, textured and balanced style on the palate. Despite having a slightly upfront style, it has ample mid-palate concentration and building tannin. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
Inky ruby. Mineral-accented dark berries and licorice on the highly perfumed nose. Powerful, sharply focused dark berry flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up a hint of black pepper. The mineral quality comes back on the clinging, smoky finish, which is firmed by youthfully taut but harmonious tannins. Most of this fruit is grown in Les Bessards.