The 2020 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite Syrah, hailing from the esteemed Hermitage appellation in Northern Rhone, France, is a standout wine receiving high praise from professional reviewers. This red wine, closed with cork and boasting an alcohol content of 14%, is noted for its impressive balance of power and elegance.
Decanter's review on June 10, 2021, awarded this wine an exceptional score of 98 points, describing it as having "a fresh, flinty aroma with blackcurrant underneath - enlivening nose." The publication highlighted its "great harmony, incisive freshness, and remarkable drive," noting the wine's "incredible textural finesse" and "very long" finish. They emphasized its potential for aging, suggesting it could be enjoyed between 2030 and 2055.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, reviewed by Joe Czerwinski on May 16, 2024, also gave it a stellar 98+ points. Czerwinski noted "compelling scents of roasted meat, espresso, and blueberries," along with a hint of vanilla. He described it as a "huge behemoth of a wine" that is simultaneously an "elegant beast" with excellent aging potential.
Jeb Dunnuck, in his review on December 15, 2022, awarded the wine a perfect score of 100 points. He praised its "crème de cassis, burning embers, blueberries, camphor, charcoal, and crushed stone" notes, calling it "incredibly concentrated, full-bodied, and yet still flawlessly balanced and elegant." He recommended aging it for 10-15 years for optimal enjoyment, projecting a longevity of 50 years.
Vinous' Josh Raynolds, in his review on December 22, 2022, gave it 97-99 points, describing it as "intensely perfumed" with "ripe black and blue fruits, exotic spices, potpourri, olive, and incense aromas." He praised its "alluringly sweet blueberry, cherry preserve, fruitcake, and mocha flavors," noting its "fabulously long, penetrating finish."
James Suckling, in his review on May 4, 2023, also awarded the wine a perfect score of 100 points. He highlighted its "spectacular mountain freshness" and "enormous concentration and underplayed tannic power." He emphasized the wine's "fabulous mineral freshness at the finish," suggesting it would be best enjoyed from 2026 onwards.
Wine Spectator's review on December 27, 2023, assigned it 98 points, noting its "densely packed" nature with "smoked blackberry, ganache, plum puree, and fig paste flavors." They praised its "muscular tannins" and "long finish," recommending it be enjoyed from 2025 through 2045.
Overall, the 2020 Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite Syrah is a highly acclaimed wine with significant aging potential, praised for its balance, complexity, and elegance.