The vintage

Indeed, all along the year, 2012 did not spare the Vignerons : even the savviest got confused, almost losing their points of references, while dealing with its tricks ! Heterogeneity in the vineyard would bear, right from the start, the mark of damage caused by winter frost. Sadly enough, very old Grenache and Syrah vines did not survive this frost. Loss of a precious heritage, impact on the yields of the upcoming harvest, Vignerons were already under pressure…
Conversely, the months of July and August were extremely hot, speeding up the maturing process, as a first step, but worsening water stress, in a second. Rarest reaction, the Vignerons came to bless the rains that fell beginning of September, as they profitably revived the phenolic ripening of the grapes. In the end, deciding the right moment to pick up grapes caused the serious Vignerons a real headache ! To the extent that the harvesting of the different cépages, in the different parcelles, followed a more than widely unusual order…
And now, for one more uncommon observation : opting for a later harvest was not necessarily the winning choice, in 2012 : the exception that
proves the rule !
Now, at this stage, as the Wines are nearing the end of the fermenting process,
they already impose their real potential : they are very, very, good… Thus, they lead us to admit that, from contrasts, Harmony can arise...

Terroir

Rouméas, Pierrelles.

Ageing

In new barrels. Allier et Tronçais.

Vinification

100% distemmed.

Tasting

In a classic style! This wine shines thanks to its bright fruit, its minerality, its balanced mouth. A bottle which should be approachable in a young age.

Alcohol content

13%

Bottling

Without fining and filtration.

Cépages

Serine
Syrah

Inky ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes candied black and blue fruits, smoked bacon and violet. Pliant, appealingly sweet dark fruit flavors are sharpened by zesty acidity and become spicier with air. Bright, focused and pure, with excellent back-end power and smooth, well-knit tannins adding shape and grip to the sweet finish

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar , 92-94/100 , 2014-04-01

The 2012 Hermitage shows the richness of this appellation, with masculine, muscular aromas and flavors of graphite, cracked pepper, smoked earth and copious black and blue fruits. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with ample tannin and concentration, it’s a big wine.

Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Advocate , 91-93/100 , 2013-12-01

Mid purple. Some energy and meatiness on the nose. Fresh start and then real vigour. You can't help thinking of a thoroughbred horse with this wine – and I am not thinking of brett at all! A real palate awakener. Not the most concentrated but exciting in a very slightly lean (for Hermitage) way.

Jancis Robinson , 18/20 , 2013-11-04