1996 M. Chapoutier, Ermitage, l'Ermite, Bottle (750ml), [Slightly Soiled Label]

RP100 "As granite as granite gets, with an almost liquid rock character that’s almost impossible to find outside of Hermitage, the sensational 1996 Ermitage l'Ermite offers a complex array of ripe dark fruits, olive, game and graphite in a full-bodied, fresh, incredibly delineated and focused style. Massively concentrated, structured, and rich on the palate, yet as seamless as they come, enjoy this utterly heavenly wine over the coming two to three decades. Once the tasting was over and the drinking began, this was the first glass drained, and I couldn’t imagine a wine being better." JD for TWA Sep 2016
"This 20-year retrospective was a chance to look at the 1996s, as well as a few 1995s, from Michel Chapoutier. Looking at the 1996 vintage, this was a cooler, late vintage that favored those with patience; these releases from Chapoutier are fresh and lively, with good concentration and beautiful, granite influenced characters. They’re in direct opposition to his larger, more concentrated and decadently styled 1995s, which are from a warmer vintage. The 1995s don't have the same purity or granite feel, but they have more flesh and texture. All of these wines are mature, yet they have plenty of life ahead as well. All of these wines were tasted in the spring of 2016." Jeb Dunnuck for RobertPareker.com Published: Sep 28, 2016