M. Chapoutier : Le Méal 2019

This covers a broad swath, with waves of warm humus, roasted alder and dark tobacco playing an equal part with the layers of steeped black currant and blackberry fruit. The finish features bay leaf, leather and warm stone accents, with a rumble of tannins buried in the background. A meal in and of itself. Best from 2025 through 2040. 8 cases imported.

There is a gently resinous note to the savoury blackberry fruit, alongside menthol and blackcurrant bush. A very powerful, muscular vintage, this has a huge, almost impenetrable tannic framework, with great depth and a very long finish.

At first very leathery and animal on the nose, then smoke wafts in and is followed by candied orange, tobacco-leaf and coffee notes. Very concentrated, but focused and elegant for this appellation. Invigorating freshness at the long, stony finish. So dynamic! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.

Opaque violet color. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, dark berry liqueur, smoked meat and floral scents are complemented by suggestions of five-spice powder, cracked pepper and licorice. Chewy and broad on the palate, offering densely packed blackberry, bitter cherry, candied violet, botanical herb and fruitcake flavors that become sweeter with aeration. A sexy floral note appears on the impressively persistent, mineral-laced finish, which shows fine delineation and youthfully chewy tannins.

The inky hued 2019 Ermitage Le Méal offers up a classic, kaleidoscope-like bouquet of red and black fruits, smoked meats, crushed stone, spice, and burning embers. Full-bodied, ripe, and opulent, it has a wonderful sense of balance, incredible concentration, and one hell of a great finish. This cuvée comes from the middle of Hermitage Hill and the more alluvial and loess soils of the Méal lieu-dit. It was all destemmed and spent 18 months in a mix of barrels and demi-muids, with 20% being new.

The power of the solar vintages is restrained; on the palate there’s good, balancing freshness, with those distinctive tomato-skin aromas. The vintage suits this single-plot selection well.

If the fruit is ripe, it doesn’t turn jammy and retains good freshness mid-palate and on the finish. The oak integrates well.