I tasted a ready-to-be-bottled tank sample of the 2003 L’Ermita. Typically there are 400-500 cases of this blockbuster, but because of the vintage’s tiny crop as well as a severe triage, only 240 cases were produced. This superb effort displays a black/blue/purple color along with a huge nose of creme de cassis, flowers, crushed rocks, and a hint of smoke. The wine is full-bodied and opulent, with tremendous structure, great definition and purity, and a huge, but elegant, persistent finish.(RP)

This fragrant red shows both elegance and intensity. Floral and berry aromas carry through on the focused palate, picking up flavors of mineral, vanilla and allspice that float over firmly etched tannins, then linger on the finish. This is as graceful as a ballerina. (TM)