M Chapoutier, Ermitage Le Pavillon 2019

"Massively concentrated and tannic, Chapoutier's 2019 Ermitage le Pavillon looks as if it will take a few more years to come around than the other selections parcellaires. The initial scents of crushed stone and cassis are intriguing, but this full-bodied wine comes across almost cold and reserved yet immensely promising. On this occasion, Michel Chapoutier pronounced it "a tea of granite," which describes it fairly well, although hints of its future charms can be seen on the long, licorice-tinged and mouthwatering finish." – Wine Advocate

"An expansive, highly complex bouquet evokes ripe, spice-tinged black and blue fruits, olive, potpourri, game and incense; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine stretches out. Coats the palate with deep, mineral-accented cassis, kirsch, bitter chocolate and violet pastille flavors that show outstanding definition and developing sweetness. Gripping tannins add shape to an extremely long, mineral-driven finish that emphatically repeats the blue fruit and floral notes." – Neal Martin