Inky violet color. Heady, smoke- and spice-tinged cherry, blueberry, peony and incense aromas show excellent clarity; mineral and cured meat notes build with aeration. Juicy and energetic, especially in the context of the...

(93+ points) Seemingly refined by the additional elevage since I reviewed a barrel sample last year, the 2019 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a big, rich, dark-fruited and almost tarry effort, but this...

(93+ points) Seemingly refined by the additional elevage since I reviewed a barrel sample last year, the 2019 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a big, rich, dark-fruited and almost tarry effort, but this...

Dark violet color. Ripe dark berries, pungent flowers, licorice and cracked pepper on the expressive nose. Juicy and broad on entry, offering bitter cherry, black raspberry and baking spice flavors and a sweetening...

Deep violet color. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the floral- and spice-accented nose. Shows fine definition and appealing sweetness on the palate, offering juicy dark fruit and floral pastille flavors and a peppery...

The inky hued 2019 Ermitage Le Méal offers up a classic, kaleidoscope-like bouquet of red and black fruits, smoked meats, crushed stone, spice, and burning embers. Full-bodied, ripe, and opulent, it has a wonderful sense...

The bouquet of this is like a huge bunch of flowers, although many of the aromas go in the balsamic, leathery and spicy directions. With a little aeration smoke and cigar tobacco notes develop. Deep blackberry and...

Glass-staining ruby. A highly complex, expansive bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, olive paste, potpourri and incense, along with exotic spice and smoky mineral notes that build steadily with air. Sweet, focused and...

Very enticing, showing a plump core of dark currant and blackberry preserve flavors, with ganache, anise and savory hints providing nice contrast from start to finish. Nice streamlined finish. Drink now through 2030...

Deep, bright-rimmed ruby. Spice-tinged black raspberry, cherry-cola and violet aromas are complicated by suggestions of olive and exotic spices. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering sweet red and dark berry...

Saturated magenta. Displays vibrant, mineral-accented black raspberry and cherry scents that are complemented by suggestions of olive, cracked pepper and violet. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering energetic red and...

More elegant, the 2019 Saint Joseph Le Clos has an incredibly granite nose of cassis, leather, ground pepper, and powdered rock. Tasting like a Hermitage from Bessards, it’s medium to full-bodied, has remarkable purity...