This brick house is starting to emerge, slowly. There is still a substantial cloak of cocoa powder, brick dust and tar over the core of crushed plum, black currant and steeped cherry fruit that is just now starting to give way. The finish is hefty but exceptionally well-toned, with stunning length and cut thanks to seamless tannins. A smooth block of granite. The one for your children.—Non-blind Chave vertical (June 2012). Best from 2015 through 2040. 1,800 cases made. –JM

Jean Louis Chave commented that 2005 was not a “friendly vintage” on release and compared it to 1998, 1995 and 1983 in style. His 2005 Hermitage is nevertheless an incredible wine that shines for its purity, focus and pure class. Offering up lots of granite-like minerality, crème de cassis, violets and graphite, this rich, full-bodied, gorgeously concentrated Hermitage has good acidity, building, ripe tannin and a fabulous finish. While I’d happily drink a glass today, it needs another 3-4 years of bottle age to hit prime time and will keep for two to three decades after that. - Jeb Dunnuck

Tasted from Yapp’s reserves at a private vertical. This has great intensity on the nose with notes of cranberry, raspberry, crushed stones and wild hedgerow – it just soars from the glass. The palate is full-bodied, sinewy but beautifully balanced, a very insistent Hermitage with briary, minerals, blackberry and a touch of sous-bois towards the long, long finish. Wow: an astounding Hermitage. Drink 2015-2030+

Deep greyish garnet but not much sign – in the colour – of its age. Beautifully fragrant, combining floral and savoury aromas – more peppery char than meaty. Some (oak?) char still showing on the palate, a slightly chewy texture of powerful tannins – fine-grained but deeply layered - gradually mellowing in bottle. Still a baby and not ready for drinking but with lots of promise of greater finesse ahead. (JH) 18.5/20