M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal 2010

WA100: From the warmest site of these three vineyards, the 2010 Ermitage Le Meal has sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, bacon fat and a meaty, bloody steak component to its richness. It has good acidity, but is clearly the most voluptuous and succulent of this quartet of monumental wines from one of the greatest appellations for wine in the world, Hermitage. This wine needs a good decade of cellaring and should continue to evolve for 40-50+ years.

WS98: A dark, nicely toasty style, with lots of warm cocoa, espresso and tar notes up front, followed by crushed fig and warm currant confiture flavors. A toasty edge holds sway on the finish for now, but this is packed with a tarry intensity and loads of fleshy fruit through the long, loamy finish. Dark and chewy, exhibiting terrific drive. Best from 2018 through 2035. 20 cases imported.