"Currants, blackberries, smoked meats, leather, graphite, and crushed stone all define the 2022 Ermitage Le Méal. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, and beautifully balanced, it shows a more restrained, elegant style than usual. Mostly destemmed, this was raised in 70% puncheons and 30% demi-muids, with 15% being new, for 18 months. It will shine for 20-30 years. Drink 2025-2055."

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"Rich, dark and chocolaty, but there’s also terrific stony freshness that lifts this up and points it in the direction of the heavens. Beneath all the black fruit is delicate meatiness and a touch of bark. Enormous concentration of very fine tannins, yet such purity and brightness that you dance with joy. Super-long and clean finish that is surprisingly cool given the power and intensity of the wine. Drinkable now, but best from 2027"

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"One of the highest points in Chapoutier's lineup this year, the 2022 Ermitage Le Méal evokes aromas of violet, lilac, spices, pepper and dark berries. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, it's more charming than Monier de la Sizeranne with a fleshier core of fruit and more harmonious, velvety tannins, concluding with a floral, ethereal finish. Delicately crafted and refined on the palate, this wine was fermented with 15% whole bunches and aged in a significant proportion of large barrels, 25% of which were new."

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"Chapoutier's 2021 Ermitage le Méal, like a couple of the other parcel selections this vintage, seems just a bit cedary compared to other recent vintages. Red raspberries and ripe cherries lead the way in this medium to full-bodied effort. It's silky and refined, with some drying wood tannins and crisp, cranberry-ish acids on the finish. It requires a palate realignment after the past few years."

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"Hypnotic nose of the perfectly ripe wild berries and the most aromatic wild herbs plus the smoke from autumn bonfires. Already the first impression on the expansive and extremely dynamic palate is extraordinary, but then the mineral turbo ignites and this just blows you away in the incredibly long, bright finish. Limited production. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold."

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"Even more successful, the 2021 Ermitage Le Méal has a similar broad, rounded, expansive texture as well as beautiful notes of black cherries, darker berries, spice, dried flowers, and textbook Hermitage smoked meats and leather. As with the Les Greffieux, it's already complex, has medium to full body, ripe, velvety tannins, and a great finish. One terrific point in the vintage is that the terroirs show clearly in the wines, and that's becomes obvious when tasting through the single vineyard releases from Chapoutier."

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"The super 2020 Ermitage le Méal boasts intense aromas of roasted meat, black olives, cassis and blueberries—a complex blend of fruity and savory that's more than the sum of its parts. Full-bodied and richly textured, it slides down deceptively easily for a young Hermitage of this pedigree, finishing with a flurry of soft tannins and tremendous length."

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"Welcome to the dark side of the Hermitage force, complete with billowing smoke and a deep well of blackberry fruit. Staggering concentration and a massive structure that’s nonetheless very precise. Enormous depth and energy at the finish which moves across the palate like a giant wave, which you the drinker are surfing. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."

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"At first very leathery and animal in the nose, then the smoke wafts in and is followed by candied-orange, tobacco-leaf and coffee notes. Very concentrated, but focused and elegant for this appellation. Invigorating freshness at the long, stony finish. So dynamic! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025."

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"Chapoutier's 2019 Ermitage le Méal is a standout. Crushed stone and pencil shavings accent blackberry and blueberry aromas, while the full-bodied palate is richly tannic and concentrated, showing plenty of structure to balance the ripe fruit. It almost oozes across the palate, with savory hints of mocha and black olive lingering on the finish."

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"This covers a broad swath, with waves of warm humus, roasted alder and dark tobacco playing an equal part with the layers of steeped black currant and blackberry fruit. The finish features bay leaf, leather and warm stone accents, with a rumble of tannins buried in the background. A meal in and of itself. Best from 2025 through 2040. 8 cases imported"

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