Hermitage Ligne de Crete Les Grandes Vignes, Delas Frères 2019

The 2019 Hermitage Ligne De Crete Lieu-Dit Les Grandes Vignes comes from the top of Hermitage, in a tiny vineyard of thin, granite soils. It offers a deep purple hue as well as brilliant aromatics of crème de cassis, graphite, chocolate, new saddle leather, and spring flowers. More classic smoky meatiness emerges as it sets in the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied and powerful on the palate, with a concentrated, focused mouthfeel, good acidity, and building tannins. There's nothing out of place and it's not over the top, it’s just pure, classic Hermitage greatness. Hide bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades.