Chapoutier Ermitage Rouge L'Ermite 2016

100 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Readers wanting to understand pure granite soils need to taste the inky blue/black-colored 2016 Ermitage L’Ermite, as just sticking your nose in the glass is enough to instantly transport you to this magical hillside. Crème de cassis, smoked earth, gunpowder, liquid rocks, and graphite all emerge from this deep, hugely concentrated, massive wine that has awesome depth and richness, building tannins, and vibrant acidity as well as a monster finish. It needs a decade of cellaring and will keep for half a century. This is what you call liquid gold. The estate of firebrand Michel Chapoutier continues to operate on all cylinders, and these latest 2016 and 2017 releases are world class for this address. The 2017 whites show the gradual change toward a more reductive style of winemaking, and the wines at times have an almost Burgundian feel in their minerality, acidity, and texture. Nevertheless, they’re fabulously concentrated and rich and will need 2-4 years of cellaring. The 2016 whites showed beautifully, and I prefer those to the 2017s. The majority of the 2017 reds were tasted as barrel samples. This is a ripe, sexy, expressive vintage for the Northern Rhône, and this shows in the wines. The 2017s don’t appear to have the density of the more blockbuster styled 2015s, yet they have expressive, sunny characters that will deliver loads of charm. The 2016s having slightly more density and cooler-climate styled aromatics, yet are nevertheless some of the richest, sexiest wines in the vintage. In addition to the frightfully expensive top-tier cuvées, don’t miss the value releases from this estate. These wines max out the QPR scale and are great introductions into the wines of Chapoutier as well as the Rhône Valley. Drink: 2025-2065. (Dec 2018)"

99 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The full-bodied 2016 Ermitage l'Ermite is the biggest, most tannic of Chapoutier's current releases. Don't be fooled by the upfront aromas of confiture de cassis, this rich, chewy wine needs 6-7 years of cellaring to near approachability. But what a maturity that should prove to be, with hints of cedar framing ripe, mouthwatering fruit and savory overtones of black olive and licorice, all backed by the sensation of powdered granite on an almost endless finish. Drink: 2025-2045. (Oct 2018)"

99 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "Aged in 30% new oak for 20 months. A highly aromatic nose, showing blackberry, blackcurrant and mineral hot slate aromas. It's very full-bodied and very straight. The intense, dry, salty, mineral tannins are very much of the terroir. The wine has thrilling cool fruit and is exceptionally well balanced, it's so enlivening. Like scaling a jet-black granite cliff face, there is relief and texture to its cool, glistening surface - but it's as hard as nails. This will be exceptionally good when it's ready. Drinking Window: 2027-2050. (Oct 2017)"

98 points Wine Spectator: "[$565 list] Steeped and focused black cherry, black currant and plum fruit flavors are carried by a substantial but very refined structure, ending with waves of anise, smoldering tobacco and black tea. An iron accent at the end adds further definition and length. Seriously long. Best from 2021 through 2040. 20 cases imported. (11/15/19)"

96-97 points James Suckling: "This has super, deep, black fruit, dusted in dark pepper and spice. It smells so pristine and fresh. The palate is immaculately structured, on fine, strong, tannin lines with a deep, black-cherry, licorice and mineral thread. Super-intense, super-fine and super-impressive 2016 Hermitage here. From organically grown grapes. Barrel sample. (8/29/18)"

96 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Dark purple. Aromas of smoke-tinged dark berries, licorice and pungent flowers are sharpened by smoky mineral and spice flourishes. Spicy and deeply concentrated, offering energetic blackberry, cherry liqueur and violet pastille flavors, along with salty olive, cured meat and cracked pepper nuances. Fleshes out with air while maintaining vivacity and finishes impressively long and sweet, displaying excellent clarity, powerful tannins and suave florality. Drink: 2028-2039. (Sep 2019)"