• st93

International Wine Cellar(Aged in Dominique Laurent's "magic casks") Medium ruby. Wonderfully aromatic nose of cassis, smoked meat, gunflint and violet. Silky-sweet and pliant; considerably more generous in the mouth today than the Cote-Rotie. But then this is more a "wine of the sun", says Tardieu, from vines facing full south. Suave and superb. Finishes with lush tannins and lovely subtle sweetness from the oak.

• ws90

Wine SpectatorOpulent Hermitage that blends local terroir with an international style. Full-bodied, rich and ripe, it cascades with blackberries, raspberries and grilled and toasted notes. But the heavy oak treatment gives it a firm tannin structure and a slightly hard finish that will need time to soften. Best from 2005 through 2015.