2017 Ermitage Le Meal
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Tasting notes
Inky violet color. Expansive aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, incense, violet, mocha and black pepper show superb clarity and mineral lift. Sappy, sweet and energetic on the palate, offering deeply concentrated, spice-laced blackberry, cherry preserve, blueberry, floral pastille and bitter chocolate flavors that expand steadily through the back half. Deep and seamless in character, showing superb clarity and spicy thrust on a youthfully tannic finish that echoes the floral and blue fruit notes. (15% whole clusters and 40% new oak)
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
More bloody meat, black raspberries, wood smoke, spice, and truffle notes emerge from the 2017 Ermitage Le Méal, a massive, opulent effort that has loads of opulence and fruit, building tannins, a gorgeous mid-palate, and a monster finish. It's one of the finest wines I've tasted from this estate! It’s already approachable yet promises to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more. This tiny Northern Rhône estate continues to produce a colossal lineup of wines. While they pull from top estate terroirs around Hermitage and the Northern Rhône, they also have a large négoçiant line that’s loaded with values.
The star of Ferraton's 2017s is the 2017 Ermitage Le Méal. A rich, full-bodied offering, it features cedary accents and savory notes of earth and black olives layered over black cherries. Creamy and supple on the palate, it finishes long, picking up hints of dark chocolate. Approachable already, it should drink well through 2035.
Glass-staining purple. Deeply pitched, mineral-accented aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and exotic spices show sharp delineation and a subtle touch of smokiness. Sweet, pliant and energetic on the palate, offering deeply concentrated blackberry, and cherry liqueur. Floral pastille flavors show surprising and welcome delicacy for their heft. A smoky mineral nuance defines an impressively long, youthfully tannic finish that leaves a suave violet note behind. (raised for 18 months in oak barrels, 40% of them new)