As is usually the case I was able to taste the new vintage in its individual components which is an incredible lesson in the terroir of Hermitage and I continue to believe this is one of the most educational tastings I do every year. All of the samples for the 2021 Hermitage rated between 93 and 95 and this should be a classic more medium-bodied elegant yet still substantial Hermitage. All of the single parcels show classic textbook characteristics and possess ripe tannins and outstanding purity of fruit. I suspect this wine will be in the mold of the 2014 possibly the 2004. It should benefit from just short-term cellaring and have two decades of longevity. Jeb Dunnuck 93-95

A tasting of the constituent lieux-dits before blending was as instructive as ever. Péléat was smooth silky and red-fruited with good acidity; Beaumes slightly meatier a little less concentrated than a typical year but with good tannic drive; L'Ermite was serious dry and mineral; Bessards very strict with tight rigid tannins. The final blend is likely to produce a structural rather than generous style of Hermitage with tannins that will need a long time in bottle to settle. This will be ascetic in youth then complex and textural with age. Decanter 96