Tardieu-Laurent Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage 2021 750ml

Rocky tones of granite and earth are lifted by a hint of violet florals in this sleek, stately Hermitage. It’s a gorgeous, linear wine in youth but offers beautifully concentrated blackberry and cassis flavors edged by firm, penetrating tannins. Hold till 2024 at least—it’s likely to develop and expand beautifully well past 2038. (Anna Lee C. Iijima)

Expressive nose of dark berries, roasted meat, smoke, and dried leaves with baking spices and cold fire-pit undertones. It’s full-bodied with finely grained tannins. Textured with a suave character. Elegant Hermitage here with controlled power at all stages. Focused and concentrated yet it has this brightness of fruit at the center with succulent cherries and wild currants providing freshness and verve. Superb. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. (James Suckling)

Ripe and refined, with a sleek edge to the mix of cassis and cherry reduction notes, while licorice, alder and red tea accents fill in throughout. A subtle mineral note hangs amid the fruit on the polished finish. Drink now through 2034. 450 cases made, 5 cases imported. (James Molesworth)

Exotic cherry and framboise as well as spring flowers, spice, and sappy herb notes all shine in the 2021 Hermitage from Michel Tardieu, one of the more concentrated, layered, textured 2021s in the lineup. With medium-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a layered, ripe core of fruit, this beautiful Hermitage will continue drinking beautifully for another 10–15 years if well stored. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Showing more fragrance and less oak than the 2017 version, Tardieu’s 2018 Hermitage boasts perfumed notes of fennel, cracked pepper and red raspberries, plus hints of smoked meat and mocha. Medium to full-bodied, it’s richly textured on the palate, finishing long and velvety. Like all of the Tardieu-Laurent Northern Rhône from 2018, it’s approachable now, yet this one could age for a decade or so.

The 2018 Hermitage shows lots of Le Méal-like character in its ripe, sexy bouquet of black raspberries, melted licorice, roasted meat, and smoky, barbecue-like aromas and flavors. This full-bodied, powerful wine has a wealth of fruit, ripe, sweet tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish.

Features fig, spice, mulled cherry and spiced plum pudding notes that show nice purity and freshness. Offers suppleness on the palate that is quickly propped up by chalky fine tannins, which hold a firm grip. Reveals green herbs, tapenade and mocha accents that echo on the long, dry finish. Best from 2025 through 2035. 450 cases made, 50 cases imported. (Kristen Bieler)