Hermitage Rouge La Pierrelle Louis Barruol 2019 (750ML)

No new oak goes into La Pierrelle. The wine spends roughly 15 months in barrels that have already held one or two vintages, which leaves the stage to fruit from a lesser-known, rocky parcel high on the hill of Hermitage. The vines there range from 30 to 50 years in age, are rooted in granite and are farmed under lutte raisonnée. The 2019 reaches 15% alcohol and pours an inky ruby, with dark berries, violet pastille and black olive on the nose, backed by pipe tobacco, allspice and smoke. On the palate, blackberry and cherry carry a sweet, mineral tone, with candied violet and a hint of dark chocolate before firm, supple tannins and lingering spice draw out the finish. Critics put it in its stride from 2026. Pour it alongside venison loin, braised short ribs or aged Comté.