Chapoutier Ermitage Rouge L'Ermite 2018

98-100 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "As usual, Chapoutier's 2018 Ermitage l'Ermite is a standout among standouts. Crushed stone, blueberries, even a touch of herb feature on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is cool and crunchy but also ripe and generous. It's rich and long, with a firm, granitic structure that should enable two-plus decades of aging. This has it all. Drink: 2025-2045. (Dec 2019)"

98+ points Jeb Dunnuck: "In the same vein, the 2018 Ermitage L’Ermite has a pure, liquid rock-like mineral component as well as a tight, dense style in its crème de cassis, violets, acacia flowers, crushed stone, charcoal, and peppered game-like aromas and flavors. While this showed a more plush, sexy character from barrel (which led me to compare it to the Pavillon), it's a classic L'Ermite from bottle and is full-bodied, tight, concentrated, and structured. It's a magical Hermitage in the making yet won't hit maturity for 10-15 years and should keep for 30+. Drink: 2030-2060. (11/19/20)"

97 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "Inky ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented blueberry, kirsch, cassis and vanilla aromas are complemented by suggestions of succulent flowers, allspice, smoky bacon and incense. Coats the palate with alluringly sweet, finely etched black and blue fruit preserve, spicecake, mocha, olive paste and violet pastille flavors that are underscored by a vein of smoky minerality. Shows outstanding energy for its brawn and finishes impressively long, smoky and broad, with mounting tannins and gentle closing grip. 50% new oak. Drink: 2029-2041. (Dec 2022)"

97 points Wine Spectator: "[$678 list] This is really packed, with dark currant, blackberry and black cherry paste flavors that sail through, carried by racy and well-embedded acidity and flanked by an iron note, showing mineral, tobacco and singed alder hints through the finish. This has power in reserve, with the mouthwatering cut to carry it for two decades. Best from 2035 through 2040. 26 cases imported. (8/31/21)"

96 points Matt Walls (Decanter): "This is very pure with a lovely intensity of fruit and impact, remarkable tension and saline edge. It has real drive and thrust and is just a little leaner and lower in alcohol than some recent vintages. Perhaps not quite as long, but this is still very much L'Ermite - it has the same signature and Ermite skeleton, just not so much flesh. A yield of 31hl/ha, high for this parcel, matured 100% in barriques, 20% new oak. Drinking Window: 2022-2036. (Oct 2019)"