Moving to the two Hermitage releases and from the younger vines, mostly on the eastern side of Hermitage, the 2015 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle is a better wine than a number of older La Chapelle releases; it’s certainly better than the 1998, 1999 and 2001. Full-bodied, ripe, voluptuous and forward, with a sexy feel in its black raspberry, licorice and crushed herbs, it has a wealth of fruit, sweet tannin and a supple, yet lengthy finish. It’s going to offer immense pleasure over the coming two decades.

The second wine is the 2014 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle (first introduced in 2004), which tastes similar to its big brother, just in a more rounded, supple and forward style. Cassis, black raspberries, cured meats, toasted spice and roasted herbs aromas and flavors all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, ripe, sexy effort that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.

The 2013 Hermitage la Petite Chapelle is more forward and approachable than the grand vin, giving up lots of granite-induced minerality, smoked earth, bouquet garni and assorted dark fruits in its medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, layered style. Coming from a mix of parcels and aged 15-18 months in roughly 20% new French oak, its should evolve gracefully for 10-15 years.

While billed as a second wine, there’s nothing inferior about the 2012 Hermitage la Petite Chapelle. A terrific wine in its own right, it offers classic currants, black raspberry, smoked earth, ground herbs and subtle meatiness to go with a ripe, full-bodied, textured and balanced style on the palate. Despite having a slightly upfront style, it has ample mid-palate concentration and building tannin. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.

Looking at the two Hermitage releases, the 2011 La Petite Chapelle (100% Syrah aged 15 months in oak) is an approachable, seamless and sexy effort that gives up a perfumed bouquet of black raspberry, cassis, creamy licorice and assorted chocolaty nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with loads of fruit and texture, this total charmer will continue to impress for a decade or more. Since 2006, owner Caroline Frey has been steadily pushing for increased quality at this historic estate. Moving all of the vineyards to sustainable farming (which takes years to see benefits), both the vineyard and cellar staff have been doubled. In addition, a new gravity operated cellar was set up in 2010. All of this shows, and across the board, the wines have impeccably made, clean and pure profiles. Looking at the individual Northern Rh?ne appellations, this estate produces four Hermitage (La Chapelle, La Chapelle Blanc, Le Petite Chapelle and Les Chevalier de Stérimberg), four Crozes Hermitage (Domaine de Thalabert, Domaine Mule Blanche, Domaine de Roure and Domaine de Roure Blanc), one C?te R?tie (Domaine des Pierrelles), one Cornas (Domaine de Saint Pierre), one Saint Joseph (Domaine de la Croix des Vignes) and one Condrieu (Domaine des Grands Amandiers). Looking at 2011, Caroline stated that it was easy to get ripeness, and harvest was early to avoid heat stress on the grapes. Of the three most recent vintages (2011, 2012 and 2013), 2011 had the highest yields, with both 2012 and 2013 seeing a significant drop. I was able to taste a number of these wines twice, once in a larger lineup covering the individual appellations, and again at a tasting at the domaine, with Caroline and oenologist Jacques Desvernois. Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700