“Old-school, rich, and decadently styled Hermitage that are almost always bursting at the seams with character.” – Jeb Dunnuck

HERMITAGE! It’s been far too long! And we’re making amends with a truly mind-bending one today.

Bursting at the seams… with everything you want.

Starting with 45% OFF!! For a CULT name in the fabled Hermitage?!

Haven’t felt THIS good on a Monday in ages… you Ops, are some lucky, savvy wine aficionados who know a great deal when they see one. ONLY 100 cases imported, guess who hoarded most of those, wink wink. While they last, that is.

According to Decanter 2020 is “a remarkably classic vintage for Hermitage given the hot, dry conditions. The reds have impressive tannic weight and texture, balanced acidity and a good sense of freshness. ‘It’s like the vines adapted to the heat and the vintage, so it’s full of hope for me,’ says Jean-Louis Chave. This is a very good Hermitage vintage, one of precision and structure…”

“One of the earliest harvests on record, with cooler nights allowing Syrah to ripen evenly and retain freshness. Despite record-setting heat and drought, the wines show classic elegance and finesse. Silky tannins mean early drinking pleasure, while good acidity and structure mean age ability. A truly great year” adds Wine Spectator in their spot-on vintage assessment.

And that’s exactly what one finds in the glass. That telltale explosion of rich dark berries, cherries, plum, laced with nuances you find at an exotic bazaar on a balmy summer day; sweet incense, smoky paprika, bay leaf, nutmeg, kalamata olive, you name it. Complexity galore through the savory and layered finish, expanding effortlessly through fine tannins that will keep this beauty unfolding for decades to come. Or simply enjoy it now with your favorite rich, gamey stew, curry, aged cheese, and charcuterie platter.

This beauty owes much to its vineyards, with vines dating back to 1910, the finesse of Les Plantiers, with the grip of Les Greffieux, combined with the unmatched depth from Les Bessards, which Decanter declared amongst “12 vineyards to rule them all - featuring some of the greatest vineyards across the globe, after consulting a selection of leading wine world experts.”

His brother Marc has his own equally collectible label, but those cost double this lesser-known treasure in any given vintage. The $100 release price is as honest and affordable as Hermitage gets. At our price, it’s simply unheard-of value from the undisputed king of Northern Rhône appellations (with Côte-Rôtie as the queen).

VERY limited - grab what you can then brag to your wine friends.

94+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck “The 2020 Hermitage Le Vignon Vieilles Vignes sports a deeper purple hue to go with ripe, powerful aromatics of smoked black and blue fruits, smoked game, violets, and pepper. Medium to full-bodied, it has a wild edge but is full-bodied, concentrated, has plenty of tannins, and is a classic, old-school Hermitage that’s going to offer tons of pleasure over the coming two decades or more. Drink 2022-2042.”

93 Points – Wine Spectator “A voluptuous, dark red, offering a cascade of black currant and smoked black cherry underscored by notes of dried flowers, cigar box, mocha and earth. A firming spine of iron and herbs adds a savory dimension to the ripe palate, with a slightly chewy feel held together by fine-grained tannins. Mouthcoating and powerful, with good balance and a lot of stuffing. 100 cases imported. Drink now through 2030.”