Domaine du Colombier, Hermitage 2020

Opaque violet color. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes fresh black and blue fruits, exotic spices, olive, pipe tobacco and candied flowers; a smoky mineral note builds as the wine opens up. Juicy and sharply focused on the mineral-inflected palate, offering intense, mineral-accented boysenberry, bitter cherry, licorice and violet pastille flavors with a touch of vanilla. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long finish, which features youthfully grippy tannins and lingering spiciness. I also had the chance to try the 2010 version of this wine, and it was a knockout, with deep dark fruit character and suave floral and exotic spice accents. There's still plenty of structure present, so a little time in a decanter, or just plain old patience, is strongly advised.

• Drinking Window: 2029 - 2040
• Reviewer Name: Josh Raynolds
• Review Date: December 2022