Ermitage Le Meal Rouge, Maison M. Chapoutier 2012

A wine I seem to like more and more every time I taste it, the 2012 Ermitage le Meal is easily the most extroverted, decadent and voluptuously styled Hermitage from this team. Coming from the more limestone soils and warmest spot on Hermitage hill, it exhibits incredible notes of cassis, blackberry, liquid violets, smoked earth and licorice. Full-bodied, deeply fruited and incredibly sexy, it nevertheless never puts a foot wrong, seems weightless in the mouth and offers blockbuster length. I'd happily drink this awesome Hermitage anytime over the coming two decades. There's a tiny 346 cases of this beauty to go around, so don't miss a chance to grab some.

Also decadent and voluptuous, the 2012 Ermitage Le Meal is the sexiest and most textured of the lineup. Exhibiting gorgeous black raspberry, cassis, chocolate, roasted meats and liquid smoke, it is a full-bodied, incredibly layered and pure Syrah that has masses of tannin, yet no hard edges. It too will have two to three decades of longevity.