In contrast to the Marquise de la Tourette bottling, the firmly structured 2001 Hermitage Les Bessards still has several years of life ahead of it. Barely bricking, it reveals notes of cassis and dried cherries, ample weight and richness on the palate, with a long, silky finish.

Delas’ luxury cuvee is top-flight, even in the challenging 2001 vintage. The inky-colored 2001 Hermitage Les Bessards boasts pure cassis notes intermixed with hints of licorice and tar. Sweet, ripe, concentrated, full-bodied, and impressively endowed, it is only for readers with cold cellars and considerable discipline as 5-7 years of cellaring will be warranted. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035.Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000

The Bessards vineyard is right at the heart of the Hermitage hill. Delas only makes this wine in top years (no 2002, for example), and the quality shows in the aromas of black fruits and violets, the flavors of huge, dense fruit and powerful tannins. This is serious wine, which promises at least 10 years of aging. ——R.V.(2/1/2005)—— 93