2019 Hermitage
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Tasting notes
Dark, vivid ruby. An expansive bouquet displays scents of ripe red and blue fruits, cola and candied violet, along with exotic spice and smoked meat accents. Smooth and fleshy in the mouth, offering sappy black raspberry, kirsch, boysenberry and licorice flavors that are sharpened by a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper. Rich yet energetic as well, finishing appealingly sweet and long, with steadily building tannins and repeating smokiness.
Critic scores
Alistair Cooper MW, jancisrobinson.com
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
As usual, Sorrel's 2019 Hermitage isn't a big bruiser, but instead delivers silken elegance. Hints of mint (it was made using 100% whole bunches) accent redcurrants and ripe cherries, and while the palate is medium to full-bodied, it never seems heavy or overly rich (it clocks in at 14% alcohol), instead delivering supple tannins and tremendous inner-mouth fragrance. It should drink well for more than a decade.
Blend of Les Plantiers and Bessards. Cask sample. Tasted at the domaine. Really lovely light touch to the fruit on the nose, all whole-bunch smokiness and spice. Lots of depth here but pepper and clove dominate the medium-bodied, spice-laden mid palate. Sappy and refreshing for such a big vintage. (AC)