M. Chapoutier : Le Pavillon 2021

There's impressive intensity to this powerful red, particularly for the lighter vintage. A compact core of black licorice, plum and anise is layered atop smoldering tobacco and crushed graphite elements that hover in the backdrop. Piercing acidity keeps this fresh and vibrant despite its weight. A massive wine that stretches way out, with lavender and bitter tar details. Best from 2026 through 2045. 10 cases imported.

Very classically Pavillon in its aromatic display, with hoisin sauce and some cassis and blackberry. Fine tannins, but this is not a huge vintage, a more Burgundian expression of Le Pavillon. Not terribly concentrated like some recent vintages, this will drink well young. Fresh, with strong acidity and an underlying smoky note. A lovely wine, but an atypically fine and compact Pavillon. From lieu-dit Les Bessards.

Welcome to the seductively dark and smoky heart of Hermitage. Enormously rich and spicy, with great blackberry fruit plus a touch of red beets, then the very bright and pure tannins charge through, followed by the mineral acidity that sets the sky alight at the extremely long and linear finish. How could you resist this beauty that is simultaneously so deep and playful? Great aging potential. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The concentrated 2021 Ermitage Le Pavillon uses grapes grown on the granitic soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit. Swishing the glass unlocks an alluring perfume of pencil shavings, black cherry, blackberry, crushed violets, cedar and vanilla. Iodine elements complement the complex aromatic profile. Medium to full in body, polished and concentrated, the 2021 is a distinctively powerful rendition considering the challenging growing season. It finishes with excellent drive.

Coming mostly from the east side of the Bessards lieu-dit, just under the chapel, the 2021 Ermitage Le Pavillon is in the running for the red of the vintage. Sporting a healthy purple hue as well as gorgeous aromatics of pure cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and ground pepper, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a balanced, elegant mouthfeel, ripe, fine-grained tannins, and a classy, pure, layered style that's already just about impossible to resist. It's not going to rival a great vintage of this cuvée, but it has classic Hermitage character and is incredibly satisfying. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years.