Lastly, the 2021 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes is a clear standout in the lineup and is going to be a rock-solid Hermitage. Darker raspberries, cassis, classy oak, saddle leather, and some meaty notes all define this beauty, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a balanced, elegant profile. It shows the fresher style of the vintage, yet the tannins are ripe and present, the balance is spot on, and it has good intensity as well. It's going to be approachable in its youth but, I suspect, also evolve gracefully.

The 2021 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes shows well despite the challenging vintage. One reason is that all the grapes that were not used for the Hermitage parcellaires went into this cuvée. Utilizing 25% new oak and the remainder up to fourth-fill during maturation, the 2021 sports a delicious floral lift alongside exuberant red fruits, cedar, spice-box and hints of crushed rocks. Culminating in a savory finish, the 2021 totally delivers.