Ermitage Rouge Les Greffieux M Chapoutier, Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France 2012 

3.5ha vineyard, hand-harvested 100% organic Syrah produced using biodynamic principles. Totally destemmed grapes. Only free-run juice used for fermentation in cement vats. Barrel ageing for 14-18 months (33% new oak, the rest in used wood). Bottled unfined.

This vineyard is situated at the foot of the Hermitage Hill. It is a glacial alluvial deposit terrace with shingles and clay. Vines are over 50 years old. Les Greffieux wine has powerful but silky tannins, an aroma of rich blackberry fruit, ink and black pepper with a powerfully tannic palate with liquorice notes. 

"Very solid and savoury on the nose. Wonderfully ripe and opulent. Fresh and open. Really very gorgeous. Real lift. Surprisingly open. Blend of roast beef and dry chocolate! Hugely rewarding."18/20 Drink 2015-2030 Jancis Robinson 

"A wine I've been lucky enough to have multiple times recently, the 2012 Ermitage les Greffieux is a full-bodied, deeply fruited, concentrated and blockbuster effort that's stays elegant, polished and balanced. Exhibiting incredible amounts of bloody meat, olive tapenade, campfire and sweet, expansive fruit, it needs 4-5 years in the cellar, and will drink nicely through 2034." 97/100 Jeb Dunnuck www.roberparker.com