Hermitage Rouge La Pierrelle Louis Barruol 2018 (750ML)

Local legend tells of a knight home from a crusade who withdrew to a chapel atop the hill of Hermitage, planted vines and shared his wine with passing pilgrims. La Pierrelle comes from a small, rocky parcel near that same summit, on granite, with vines 30 to 50 years old farmed under lutte raisonnée. Louis Barruol gives it about 15 months in one- and two-year-old barrels, with no new wood, and the 2018 reaches 14.5% alcohol. Deep violet, it opens on blackberry and blueberry, black olive, dried flowers and warm spice over a smoky, stony edge. The palate is broad and juicy, layering boysenberry, cherry jam, allspice, licorice and cracked pepper, and the tannins build steadily into a long finish with a faint note of cola. Critics see it coming into its own around 2027. Roast leg of lamb, duck breast or lentils with Toulouse sausage all suit it.