Le Méal Rouge Ermitage 2017

“Bristles with youthful, energetic loganberry, black currant and black cherry fruit flavors, while notes of bramble, fresh bay leaf, violet and warm humus form the backdrop. Everything knits through the finish, where a graphite accent kicks in. Best from 2023 through 2038.”
– James Molesworth

APPEARANCE: Deep garnet red, with purplish highlights during its youth

NOSE: Ripe fruits and smoky aromas

PALATE:  Powerful tannins, velvety, blackberry jam. 

APPELLATION: Ermitage

VARIETA: 100% Syrah

TERROIR: The wine is only produced with grapes coming from the Méal hillside. This slope is composed of high terraces of shingles and clay. The vines are about 50 years old.

VINIFICATION: Hand-harvested at maturity. The harvest, totally destemmed, is vinified in a small cement vat. High temperature maceration enables a good extraction of grape potential, to obtain soft and stable tannins, compulsory to keep the wine for a very long time. Only the free-run juice is used in this single vineyard.

Alcohol: 14.5%

Aging: Wine is matured in new or one year old cask. Maturing lasts between 14 and 18 months. The clarification is natural. According to the vintage, the wine can be kept from 30-60 years, indeed from 50-70 years.

Gastronomy: Pairs well with beef, game and all cheeses.