2019 Ermitage Les Dionnieres
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Tasting notes
Opaque violet color. Spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry preserves and smoky minerals, along with floral and vanilla nuances. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, showing smoky mineral lift and sharp focus to its juicy, spice-laced black and blue fruit, vanilla and olive paste flavors, which deepen on the back half. Finishes pliant and spicy, with a solid mineral thrust, well-knit tannins and resonating blue fruit and floral character. 25% new oak.
Critic scores
Average Score
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Les Dionnières comes from the more limestone soils on the eastern side of Hermitage and sees mostly used barrels, as the percentage of new oak here has dwindled over the past few years. This dense purple-hued effort has a terrific, already complex bouquet of blueberries, black cherries, herbes de Provence, candied violets, spice, and incense. With full-bodied richness and depth on the palate, it has a ripe, sexy, opulent style, yet underneath all its baby fat, it shows finely polished tannins, wonderful purity, and the class to evolve for two decades.
Scents of crushed stone, licorice and black cherries appear on the nose of the 2019 Ermitage Les Dionnières. Joined by hints of cedar and vanilla, this is a full-bodied, concentrated effort that deserves some time in the cellar to round into form, as the lengthy finish delivers plenty of ripe but dusty tannins.
100% Syrah. Aged in oak barrels (20–30% new) for about 14–18 months. Barrel sample. Tasted blind. A blend of iron notes, kirsch and sweet dark fruit on the nose. An intense mouthfeel is led by ripe fruit, firm tannins and a dark plummy powerful richness. The tannins are structured and relatively fine with a long, poised finish. (AC)