M Chapoutier, Ermitage Le Meal Blanc 2001

"Powerfully open, this roars out of the glass. There's still some fruit here, both dried and fresh apricots, to accompany the heather honey and macadamia nut. Full-bodied, ample and silky on the palate. Voluminous, generous and full of concentrated flavour with exceptional length. The oak influence is strong, lending plenty of barley sugar, tobacco and a touch of cedar, but it's all well-integrated now." - Decanter

"The 2001 Ermitage le Meal Blanc continues to impress and I've had numerous bottles over the past couple of years and they've all shown beautifully. Honeyed and caramelized, with lots of white peach, mint, orange blossom and smoke, it's full-bodied, ripe and layered on the palate, with perfect balance between its layers of fruit and acidity. My notes finished with "beautiful wine." - Wine Advocate