Tasting date

yet ethereal and even graceful

The palate is much better with sour lemon and quince on the entry

I would be inclined to begin drinking this now and over the next 10 years as I fear this risks drying out and becoming astringent if held for the longer-term

The nose seemed to have closed down since I last encountered it in 2012

Chapoutier, Ermitage Meal Vintage:2008 Tasting dateEven inkier in color than the 2010, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal is as good as Hermitage gets. Locked and loaded with phenomenal notes of jammy black raspberries, creme de cassis, crushed violets, smoked earth and spice, it's thick and unctuous on the palate, with incredible density, a huge mid palate and a layered, multi dimensional, seamless, elegant texture that just keeps you coming back and begging for another sip. More hedonistic and voluptuous