2009 M. Chapoutier Le Pavillon Ermitage

100 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

“A perfect wine, the 2009 Ermitage Le Pavillon (1,093 cases) boasts a black/purple color as well as an extraordinary bouquet of acacia flowers, blackberries, blueberries, roasted meats, creme de cassis, truffles, graphite, powdered rock and new saddle leather. Extremely dense, noble and pure, this monumental Ermitage is built for 50-100 years of cellaring.”

98 Points - Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

“Inky, black with purple in color, this massive, concentrated, dense, thick, tannic wine is as you would expect, young and offering only promise of what is to come at this stage. The licorice, espresso, blackberry liqueur and smoke filled nose is surpassed by the intense, mouth coating waves of dense fruit and ripe tannins. Based on recent tastings of older vintages, this will demand at least 20 more years in the cellar before it really starts to open up.”

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck, Jeb Dunnuck

“Decadent yet vivid and riveting, with creamy raspberries, creme de cassis, crushed flowers, charcoal and grilled meats. Full-bodied, thickly textured and massively concentrated, but kept lively by acidity and minerality. A blockbuster needing 10 to 12 years of bottle age.”

97 Points - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

“This has a very alluring ganache edge, which melds nicely into the core of crushed plum, blackberry and currant notes. Lots of anise and briar emerge on the back end, along with ample toasted spice and incense. The very long finish has riveting acidity, while the fruit and ganache notes echo on and on. Dense but precise.”