2014 Hermitage, Jean-Louis Chave (3L)

"Glass-staining ruby. Potent aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, licorice, spicecake and candied flowers on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering vivacious blackberry, cherry, boysenberry and allspice flavors that deepen and spread out slowly on the back half. Closes on a minerally note, delivering building tannins, superb dark-fruit-driven persistence and lingering spiciness." Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com"Glass-staining ruby. Potent aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, licorice, spicecake and candied flowers on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering vivacious blackberry, cherry, boysenberry and allspice flavors that deepen and spread out slowly on the back half. Closes on a minerally note, delivering building tannins, superb dark-fruit-driven persistence and lingering spiciness." Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com

"This starts strong, with warm ganache, steeped fig and crushed blackberry flavors, then gains steam, picking up smoldering charcoal, bay leaf and juniper accents as this drives and expands through the finish. Offers a long echo of graphite, with the fruit keeping pace. Very impressive for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2040. 2,500 cases made." Wine Spectator"This starts strong, with warm ganache, steeped fig and crushed blackberry flavors, then gains steam, picking up smoldering charcoal, bay leaf and juniper accents as this drives and expands through the finish. Offers a long echo of graphite, with the fruit keeping pace. Very impressive for the vintage. Best from 2020 through 2040. 2,500 cases made." Wine Spectator