Ermitage wines possess a rich historical past. They were appreciated in Roman times when they and Cote Rotie wines were enjoyed under the name of "Vienne wines".

The name of Ermitage probably first appeared in the 17th Century in memory of Henry Gaspard, a knight from Sterimberg who, having come back from the Crusades (in the 13th Century) and tired of waging war, lived as a hermit on a hillside which had been given to him by Anne of Castille, Queen of Spain. There he planted a vineyard.

The L’Ermite vineyard is situated at the top of the Hermitage hill, around the chapel, in a place named the Ermite. The vines are 80 years old planted in granitic soils which are very poor.

The color of the wine is a very deep garnet red, almost black. On the nose are black fruits with spices and ink overtones. The tannins are at the same time powerful and velvety. Smoky and pepper overtones are wonderful expressions of Syrah from granitic soil. Depending on the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30 to 60 years or from 50 to 75 years.

The 2019 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite is a standout Syrah hailing from the Northern Rhone region of France, specifically the Hermitage appellation. Produced by Chapoutier, this red wine is sealed with a cork and has an alcohol content of 14.5%.

Reviewers have lauded this wine with high praises and exceptional scores, emphasizing its powerful, structured, and mineral-driven character. Jeb Dunnuck awarded it 98 points, describing it as "pure cassis, violets, blackberries, burning embers, and an insane amount of minerality." He notes it as a "full-bodied, powerful, backward, primordial Hermitage" with "incredible purity, fine tannins, and a great, great finish" (jebdunnuck.com).

Decanter gave an even higher score of 99, highlighting its "driving sparky freshness" that "seems to explode from the glass." The review mentions the wine's "incredible, soaring power with textural finesse and freshness and extraordinary depth," calling it a "majestic wine which will be long lived" (Decanter).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, represented by Joe Czerwinski, also bestowed a perfect 100 points. He praised its "sensationally deep notes of crushed stone, cassis, and blueberry," calling it a "tremendous effort" that is "rich and restrained, expansive yet structured." He suggests it is a "complete wine from mouthwatering aromas to velvety mouthfeel and long, stony finish" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).

James Suckling also rated it 100 points, noting its "incredibly dense elderberry fruit with raw-meat, smoked-bacon, balsamic-vinegar, mushroom and tar aromas." He commends its "gigantic fine tannins" and "stunning stony minerality at the almost endless finish," advising it to be best enjoyed from 2027 (jamessuckling.com).

Wine Spectator's J.M. gave it 98 points, stating it "delivers power, but in a refined and precise manner" with a "stream of cassis, bitter cherry and raspberry coulis" and a "long minerally spine" that adds "tension and cut" (Wine Spectator).

Finally, Vinous' Josh Raynolds awarded it 98 points, highlighting its "complex array of dark fruit preserve, floral, exotic spice and savory herb qualities" with "superb detail and mineral thrust on a strikingly long, youthfully tannic finish" (Vinous).

In summary, the 2019 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite is a critically acclaimed, powerful Syrah with a deep, complex profile and a long aging potential.