Hermitage Ex Voto Rouge Guigal 2022 (750ML)

97 Points, Matt Walls, Decanter: "Exuberant, the fruit really jumps out of the glass before the oak. Star anise, incense, very full-bodied but fresh and powerfully fruited. It's swallowed its oak particularly well so far, though it's only at the start of its long barrel maturation. Good tension, concentration and intensity, this appears to be a particularly fine vintage of Ex Voto. (Drink between 2032-2046)" 09/23

95-97 Points, Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com: "Cassis, violets, crushed stone, and black and blue fruits all emerge from the 2022 Ermitage Ex-Voto. Full-bodied, round, and opulent on the palate, it shows solid underlying tannins hiding beneath its wealth of fruit and texture. Aged 42 months in new oak, this rich, textured, powerful Ermitage delivers both the sunny, sun-kissed fruit as well as the focus and structure of the vintage.This reference point estate continues to produce brilliant wines, yet subtle, not insignificant changes are underway. First, there's a new Côte Rôtie La La in the lineup, the Côte Rôtie La Reynarde, created in honor of Philippe and Eve's twin sons, Etienne and Charles. Sourced from a small parcel in the Fongeant lieu-dit planted in 2015, it is 100% Syrah, not destemmed, and vinified with punch-downs only, similar to La Turque. It will see the same 40+ months in new barrels as its siblings. While 2022 will be the first vintage released, I've been lucky enough to taste this cuvée since 2019, and stylistically it fits nicely between La Turque and La Landonne, unquestionably meriting its place alongside the other La Las." 05/25

97 Points, Yohan Castaing, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2022 Ermitage Ex Voto is riper and more solar than the La-La cuvées (La Turque, La Mouline and La Landonne), which is to be expected given the south-facing exposure of the Hermitage hill. Evoking aromas of baked dark berries, licorice, thyme, tobacco leaf and oak, it is full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a structured, seamless mid-palate, a fleshy core of fruit and powerful tannins that carry it to a long, spicy finish. While unmistakably shaped by the warmth of the vintage, it retains impressive depth and authority and should evolve gracefully with time in the cellar." 11/25