2019 Hermitage

Where the 2018s lead with their fruit, the 2019s lead with their tannins, and that's readily apparent with the 2019 Hermitage. A deep purple-hued effort, it boasts terrific notes of darker fruits, smoked meats, graphite, and crushed stone. Powerful, structured, and full-bodied, it's a brilliant Hermitage in the making, although not for those looking for instant gratification. Hide bottles for 7-8 years, and it will have two decades thereafter of prime drinking.

Glass-staining ruby. Powerful, mineral- and smoke-accented black and blue fruit, potpourri, olive and vanilla aromas acquire a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Offers densely packed cherry-cola, cassis and blueberry flavors that show excellent clarity and a smoky top note. Finishes impressively long, youthfully chewy and spicy, with building tannins and a suave, lingering candied violet note. 50% new oak.

Guigal's full-bodied 2019 Hermitage delivers classic notes of roasted meat, raspberries and cherries. Slightly open-knit and even a touch coarse in texture, it looks to be a relatively quick-maturing example of this storied appellation.