Shows prominent herb and tobacco notes, but has the density of fruit for balance, with fleshy layers of black currant and raspberry. The dark, ripe finish shows graphite and licorice notes, with solid grip. Drink now through 2015. 800 cases imported. –JM

(17/20) Lightest crimson of the three 2004s. Rather loose nose though the stern, ripe Syrah starts to shine through. Nicely round and gentle on the palate but pretty light for an Hermitage! Dry finish - certainly not scrawny. There's a real persistence there. Nice balance and a very good effort without being outstanding,

The 2004 Hermitage La Chapelle showed nicely, with the more medium-bodied, higher acid style of the vintage, yet it still has good sweetness of fruit, supple tannins, and lots of classic Northern Rhône character. Mature currant fruits, some sappy, peppery, meaty, subtly gamey notes as well as that textbook La Chapelle hint of soy all show on the nose, and it's medium-bodied, mid-weight, balanced, and elegant on the palate. It's a charmer, yet clearly a step up from the 1998, 1999, and 2000.