Château L'Hermitage 2005

L'Hermitage, one of the original garagiste estates, is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc from a small 9-acre site sandwiched between such titans of St.-Emilion as Beausejour-Duffau and Angelus. The 2005 is typically pure, medium to full-bodied, opulent, and showy, with more elegance (largely because of its fresh, lively acidity) and serious structure than usual. Its intense aromatics of blackberry, black cherry, and herbs is backed-up by a full-bodied wine possessing ripe tannin as well as outstanding weight, length, and overall harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2022. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com, April 2008)