M. Chapoutier Ermitage Les Greffieux 2016

JD98: From the deeper soils at the bottom of the Le Méal lieu-dit, the 2016 Ermitage Les Gréffieux was all destemmed and saw its normal 18 months in a mix of Burgundy barrels and demi-muids, with just 25% being new. This is a rich, powerful, black-fruited expression of this cuvée, offering up tons of blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked earth, chocolate, and spice. Inky colored, full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, and opulent on the palate, it's a killer bottle of wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 25 years or more.

WA97: Chapoutier's 2016 Ermitage les Greffieux is a perfumed, elegant expression of this historic terroir. Violet and crushed stone notes perfectly complement the cedar and baking spices of new oak in framing ripe blackberries and blueberries. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated yet silky in feel, it adds savory notes of black olive and licorice on the long, mouthwatering finish.