Ermitage Rouge Les Greffieux M Chapoutier, Hermitage, Northern Rhone, France 2014 

3.5ha vineyard, hand-harvested 100% organic Syrah produced using biodynamic principles. Totally destemmed grapes. Free-run juice only 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. 

"The 2014 Ermitage Les Greffieux offers a big mouthful of fruit as well as a more gamey profile in its black olive, beef blood, smoke and ripe dark fruits. This cuvée comes from the middle of the slope (which is slightly higher up in the Greffieux parcel) and is aged in 20% new oak. Drink this full-bodied, meaty, rich and unctuous beauty anytime over the coming two decades." 96/100 Jeb Dunnuck robertparker.com