Hermitage 2018 - Domaine Belle

Hermitage 2018 - Domaine Belle

 

(95 - 97)/100 Parker

Maturity: 2022 - 2037

By Joe Czerwinski in 2019: "Belle's Hermitage 2018 is dark, intense and smoky, with accents of mocha and roasted meat for a concentrate of blueberries and plums. Full-bodied, full and powerful, it is another successful Hermitage from the family plots of Les Murets and Péléat".

 

- Grape variety : 100 % syrah

- Yield: 30 hl/ha

- Soil: sandy limestone soil - permeable pebbles

- Viticulture: Organic manure, natural sanitary protection, short pruning, leaf thinning, manual harvesting.

- Vinification: Traditional vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats, without destemming, daily pumping over and punching of the cap, final hot maceration, vatting for 5 weeks with indigenous yeast.

- Ageing: entirely in oak barrels for 26 months with 50% new barrels and 50% 1 year old barrels.

- Tasting :Deep red colour with intense ruby tinges. The wine is almost black in colour. The nose quickly opens up with complex notes of black fruit, sweet spices, cocoa bean and sandalwood. Its 24-month ageing in French oak patiently reveals the aromatic richness of this great appellation. Balsamic, empyreumatic and slightly resinous aromas, also slightly resinous, of intense black fruit juices, which can be perceived and responded to. The palate is superb. It is a massive and powerful presence that fills the palate. Despite its richness, our Hermitage is velvety, almost docile. Notes of mocha, cocoa and sweet spices make it harmonious.

- Laying down : To wait another 3 to 10 years before being able to fully enjoy the potential of this great bottle. It should then be opened with game meat, doe steak, or marinated meats and truffled poultry.