2006 E. Guigal, Hermitage, Ex Voto Rouge

Wine Advocate February, 2011 The opaque purple-colored 2006 Hermitage Ex-Voto reveals notes of black fruits, graphite, ink and acacia flowers along with fabulous intensity, a full-bodied mouthfeel, good acidity and high, but sweet tannins that caress the palate. Despite having spent 42 months in barrel, it remains a youthful wine that should age effortlessly for 30+ years.

More classic in style than the '07, with lots of iodine, powdered rock, beef blood, leather and meaty dark fruits, the 2006 Hermitage Ex Voto is full-bodied, rich, structured and powerful, with high tannin and notable freshness. It's still youthful, and while this vintage generally produced charming, fruit-loaded wine, this has a serious, slightly masculine feel.

90% Marsanne, 10% Roussanne. 30 months in new oak. Big and full. Very slightly oaky still. Exciting but ready. (JR)