The 2017 Hermitage was perhaps the least impressive of the various Tardieu-Laurent bottlings I tried this year, no doubt a reflection of the difficulties in sourcing grapes from this highly sought-after appellation. From the la Pierrelle lieu-dit, it marries cedary oak and baking spices with pretty blueberry shadings in a medium to full-bodied effort that's easygoing and very drinkable, but it lacks the gravitas expected from the appellation.

This offers a lush array of crushed raspberry and blackberry fruit, inlaid with singed anise, violet and mesquite notes. A long sanguine echo curls through the finish, while the fruit and incense elements meld nicely. Best from 2021 through 2030. 350 cases made, 5 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Hermitage Select to Add