Jean-Michel Sorrel
Hermitage Lot 3 Le Vignon Vieilles Vignes Syrah
Hermitage, Northern Rhône, Rhône, France
2018 vintage. Last tasted 12.15.23 (9.5), 11.11.23 (9.4), 4.26.23 (9.5) and 3.16.22 (9.3). Decanted with a trace of sed. Now medium body after losing a bit of weight. Sultry nose. Still iron, earth, blood, cinnamon, dark plum and dark cherry waving the flavor banner high. Excellent length of finish. 11.21.25.
2018 vintage. Last tasted 12.15.23 (9.5), 11.11.23 (9.4), 4.26.23 (9.5) and 3.16.22 (9.3). Decanted with a trace of sed. Now medium body after losing a bit of weight. Sultry nose. Still iron, earth, blood, cinnamon, dark plum and dark cherry waving the flavor banner high. Excellent length of finish. 11.21.25.
Nov 22nd, 20252018 vintage. Tasted 4.26.23 and 1.11.23 this year. Had a little more time to spend with this tonight. Decanted. Heavy body. Smoky, plummy nose. Maan, with anything off the grill but a burger, pork chop or lamb would be killer. Really like this wine. Just need to park a few away and forget about them. 12.15.23.
2018 vintage. Tasted 4.26.23 and 1.11.23 this year. Had a little more time to spend with this tonight. Decanted. Heavy body. Smoky, plummy nose. Maan, with anything off the grill but a burger, pork chop or lamb would be killer. Really like this wine. Just need to park a few away and forget about them. 12.15.23.
Dec 16th, 20232018 vintage. Last tasted 4.26.23. Rated it a 9.5 then. This was decanted and throwing an unexpectedly large amount of sed for the age. Tasted immediately and up to 30 minutes later. Most of the 4.26.23 notes apply to the complexity and body but not enough time to spend with this one on this go round. Feel like it would have performed similarly tho. 11.11.23.
2018 vintage. Last tasted 4.26.23. Rated it a 9.5 then. This was decanted and throwing an unexpectedly large amount of sed for the age. Tasted immediately and up to 30 minutes later. Most of the 4.26.23 notes apply to the complexity and body but not enough time to spend with this one on this go round. Feel like it would have performed similarly tho. 11.11.23.
Nov 12th, 20232018 vintage. This is actually "Lot 3" (as per the picture) instead of "Lot 5." Cinnamon, baking spices and crumbled graham crackers along with flat, day-old Coca-Cola and a hint of clove in the nose. Medium/medium-heavy body. Beef blood, Ricola cough drop, anise, rhubarb, orange peel and sandalwood in the big, loitering finish. Tasted immediately after opening, 1 hr and 2 hrs later as well. Alternates between pretty and grippy. Not filled with rusticity or finesse...primal authenticity. Phenomenal now but changing addresses soon and likely to be just as special in 5-20 years. Last tasted 3.16.22 and rated a 9.3. What a difference a year makes! Need to pick up some more. 4.26.23.
2018 vintage. This is actually "Lot 3" (as per the picture) instead of "Lot 5." Cinnamon, baking spices and crumbled graham crackers along with flat, day-old Coca-Cola and a hint of clove in the nose. Medium/medium-heavy body. Beef blood, Ricola cough drop, anise, rhubarb, orange peel and sandalwood in the big, loitering finish. Tasted immediately after opening, 1 hr and 2 hrs later as well. Alternates between pretty and grippy. Not filled with rusticity or finesse...primal authenticity. Phenomenal now but changing addresses soon and likely to be just as special in 5-20 years. Last tasted 3.16.22 and rated a 9.3. What a difference a year makes! Need to pick up some more. 4.26.23.
Apr 26th, 2023