Ermitage Le Meal Rouge, Maison M. Chapoutier 2021

Hypnotic nose of the perfectly ripe wild berries and the most aromatic wild herbs plus the smoke from autumn bonfires. Already the first impression on the expansive and extremely dynamic palate is extraordinary, but then the mineral turbo ignites and this just blows you away in the incredibly long, bright finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Even more successful, the 2021 Ermitage Le Méal has a similar broad, rounded, expansive texture as well as beautiful notes of black cherries, darker berries, spice, dried flowers, and textbook Hermitage smoked meats and leather. As with the Les Greffieux, it's already complex, has medium to full body, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. One terrific point in the vintage is that the terroirs show clearly in the wines, and that's becomes obvious when tasting through the single vineyard releases from Chapoutier.