Even better, and topping out on my scale, the 2003 Ermitage le Pavillon comes all from the granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit and was aged 100% in new barrels. Its inky ruby/black color is followed by off the hook aromas and flavors of plum, creme de cassis, licorice, crushed rocks and violet/incense-like qualities. This gives way to a full-bodied, dense, seamless and textured 2003 that has building tannin, awesome concentration and a blockbuster finish. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades, although, as with the Le Meal, it’s gorgeous now. Finishing harvest at the end of August, Michel Chapoutier produced a monumental lineup of wines in 2003, and enough can’t be said about the quality coming for this estate. To say I was blown away would be an understatement.

Really zesty up front, with lots of wild dark and red berry fruit before giving way to more bass notes of cocoa powder, bacony toast and black truffle on the back end. Big, muscular finish is loaded with latent fruit. Best from 2008 through 2025. 350 cases made.??–JM??Region: France / Northern Rh?ne / Ermitage Select to Add