This followed a Chateau Simone rouge from the same vintage and though the wines may not be too far apart geographically, their tastes were markedly different. While the Chateau Simone was surprisingly red-fruited and sophisticated, this Hermitage was a sombre and brooding powerhouse. Black-fruited, sweet and slightly roasted, something smoky and with only some traces of olive and meat. While not over the top its nose had less definition and it also felt a bit one-dimensional when compared to the Chateau Simone. In the mouth the wine was viscous, richly flavoured and sweet. Again it had less freshness than its southern companion, however, it didn't come across as flabby or hot, it just seemed more marked by the hot vintage and lacked the perfect balance of the Chateau Simone, which maybe had benefitted in this vintage from its blend of different varietals. Nonetheless, this Hermitage is also an impressive wine and I can imagine it to gain in refinement with some additional bottle age. 91+?
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Nose of crushed blackberries and blueberries with inky mineral undertones. Black pepper, cedar box, smokey fill out the complex character. This a true northern French Rhône. The palate is full black berries, concentrated blueberries, ripe plum with black pepper bacon. A long start, giving the promise of more to come. It does not disappoint-the continuation of a full powerful syrah, with rich loamy soil minerals coupled with fall herbs of basil and thyme. The final finish of Cigar and back bacon pork goes on for ever. This wine is better than my last bottle a year ago.
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3/5/2024 - Collector1855 wrote: 89 Points
Medium bodied, good freshness, lots of blueberry, aromatically a bit four-square.
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1/6/2024 - Eric Becker wrote: 91 Points
This followed a Chateau Simone rouge from the same vintage and though the wines may not be too far apart geographically, their tastes were markedly different. While the Chateau Simone was surprisingly red-fruited and sophisticated, this Hermitage was a sombre and brooding powerhouse. Black-fruited, sweet and slightly roasted, something smoky and with only some traces of olive and meat. While not over the top its nose had less definition and it also felt a bit one-dimensional when compared to the Chateau Simone. In the mouth the wine was viscous, richly flavoured and sweet. Again it had less freshness than its southern companion, however, it didn't come across as flabby or hot, it just seemed more marked by the hot vintage and lacked the perfect balance of the Chateau Simone, which maybe had benefitted in this vintage from its blend of different varietals.
Nonetheless, this Hermitage is also an impressive wine and I can imagine it to gain in refinement with some additional bottle age. 91+?
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11/26/2023 - Scottlmatthews Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose of crushed blackberries and blueberries with inky mineral undertones. Black pepper, cedar box, smokey fill out the complex character. This a true northern French Rhône. The palate is full black berries, concentrated blueberries, ripe plum with black pepper bacon. A long start, giving the promise of more to come. It does not disappoint-the continuation of a full powerful syrah, with rich loamy soil minerals coupled with fall herbs of basil and thyme. The final finish of Cigar and back bacon pork goes on for ever. This wine is better than my last bottle a year ago.
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11/24/2023 - VINNICK Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark brooding but somewhat shallow. Lacks depth and concentration but nice profile overall.
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11/24/2023 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 92 Points
Jaboulet dinner, dark, big, rich, young, needed to be decanted, good potential but not close to Chapelle quality
92+
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