Ermitage Rouge Le Pavillon, M Chapoutier, Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France 2011  

4 ha vineyard, hand-harvested 100% organic Syrah produced using biodynamic principles. Vines are 90-100 years' old. Only free-run juice used for fermentation in concrete tanks. Maturation in oak barrels (30% new) for 18-20 months.

This wine comes from ‘lieu-dit’ Les Bessards. The plot has a specific geology: It is composed of a fine layer of sediment lying on granitic subsoil. The vines are located at an altitude of approximately 130 metres on the Hermitage hill, above the ruins of a stone house giving its name to the wine. With tiny yields (20 hl/ha), this is perhaps the most complex of the various Ermitage wines. Le Pavillon is characterised by a velvety texture and great length on the palate; liquorice, tar, raspberry, blackberry, walnut and tobacco aromas. It has a very long finish.

"Dark, shiny crimson. Very meaty, savoury and the most obviously stereotypically Hermitage. Polished tannins but they are there in abundance. Very notable acidity and bone dry fruit. Wait ages before opening this. Lots of fresh, characterful fruit. Very serious indeed - for enormous eventual pleasure." 18.5/20 JR jancisrobinson.com 

"Even better and a prodigious effort that hits all my sweet spots, the 2011 Ermitage Le Pavillon comes from one of the top terroirs on Hermitage hill, the granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit. Spectacularly perfumed, with raspberry, blackberry, licorice, toasted spices and assorted floral nuances, this full-bodied effort has massive depth and richness, no hard edges and masses of finely polished tannin that emerge on and frame the finish. It will be approachable at an earlier age than either the 2009 or 2010, yet should nevertheless have 2-3 decades of ultimate longevity." 100/100 Jeb Dunnuck robertparker.com 

A wine that will age gracefully for many decades.