2019 E Guigal Hermitage Rouge, Northern Rhone

I loved the 2019 Hermitage, which tastes more like a flagship release than a base Hermitage. Blackberries, crushed stone, burning embers, espresso, and violets all emerge from this inky hued 2019 that’s full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, background oak, and a great finish. It will keep for 20-25 years.

94-96 points jebdunnuck.com

E Guigal Hermitage Rouge from the Northern Rhone is a commanding and beautifully structured Syrah that captures the soul of one of France’s most historic wine appellations. The Guigal family, based in Ampuis since 1946, has long been celebrated for its mastery of Rhone terroirs, and this Hermitage is no exception. It’s a wine of gravitas — rich, perfumed and deeply layered — yet always defined by the elegance and polish that mark the Guigal style.

The fruit comes from a selection of old-vine parcels scattered across Hermitage’s renowned granite slopes, including areas around Les Bessards, Le Méal and Les Greffieux. These steep, south-facing vineyards are hand worked, and the Syrah grapes are picked at optimal ripeness to balance richness with minerality. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled vats, followed by up to 36 months of maturation in small oak barrels, a portion of which are new. This patient élevage allows the wine’s immense structure to integrate while enhancing aromatic complexity.

In the glass it is deep garnet with violet reflections. The nose is intense and layered, revealing black cherry, cassis, graphite and smoked meat, with underlying notes of olive, espresso, spice and crushed stone. The palate is powerful yet refined, showing ripe dark fruit framed by firm but polished tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of cocoa, truffle and dried herbs linger through a long, savoury, mineral finish. It’s both muscular and graceful, a reflection of the Hermitage hill’s legendary terroir.

This wine pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, venison, slow-braised beef or duck confit. It also complements dishes with black truffle, aged Comté or wild mushrooms. While approachable after a few years, it truly shines with bottle age, evolving over 20 to 30 years into a wine of profound depth and earthy complexity.