Alvaro Palacios L’Ermita 2011

Parker: The 2011 L’Ermita suffers a bit in comparison with the nearly perfect 2010. Yields in 2011 were even lower than in 2010 (and both were relatively large vintages, as there will be no more than 500 bottles of 2012 or 2013), 3.64 hectoliters per hectare. It has a riper nose than the 2010 (aren’t comparisons awful?) with earthy notes of soil (beetroot?), peat, violets, ripe peach and juicy fruit flavors. It’s elegant yet powerful, ripe and with grainy tannins. It feels very organic, soil-driven, full and ripe. Today I prefer the palate to the nose. In case you’re interested in a second opinion, Alvaro Palacios himself was telling me how he prefers L’Ermita 2011 over 2010, which he finds fuller. Today we disagree, but maybe in a few years our opinions might converge. We’ll see. (95/100, 2014)

Wine Spectaor: This red is rich with berry, cream and vanilla flavors, showing lively touches of herb and citrus. Shows a sweet, fruity character but maintains enough acidity for balance, remaining focused and graceful overall, with an underlying minerality and a long finish. Drink now through 2021. 120 cases made. (95/100, 2014)