2010 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon

(100% Syrah, 13.5% Alkohol) Dunkle Farbe, keine Alterstöne. Top Nase, viel dunkle Frucht, schwarze Kirschen, Pflaumen, Pfeffer, Veilchen, dunkle Schokolade, ein Gedicht. Im Gaumen straff, präzis, muskulös und doch elegant, präzis dosierte Gerbstoffe, hohe Qualität, die Säure belebt, die Frucht ist noch immer da, viel Frische hier und eine ausgezeichnete Länge. Ein Wein mit grossen Reserven. Jetzt (dekantieren) bis 2045 geniessen.

Inky, black on color, with a sense of richness, density and raw material, that makes it seem like you can eat or drink this. Because of the perfect level of ripeness, the wine has both sweetness and lift, length and vibrancy. But patience is the name of the game here. Having recently tasted 89, 90 & 91, which are are still young, this requites at least 20 or or more years to come around. 98 Points

Tasted against the 2009 I have to admit I think the 2010 is a more interesting bottle but only because I prefer its restraint. The '09 is more opulent and brash but both are sensational. The nose is a fascinating mix of floral stony mineral notes that preview a sort of red/blueberry fruit character with an inkiness - something Chapoutier always refers to in his wine. The finish is long and relentless with amazing richness and power and finesse. I would leave this alone through 2025. Annual production is a measly 600 cases off of 4 hectares of granite soils known as Les Béssards. The wine is matured in oak casks (30% new) between 18 and 20 months. A fabulous bottle of wine that is more Euro in style this year than the 2009. Amazing. (Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe).

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