(VN 93-95 points) Full, bright-rimmed violet. Highly fragrant cherry and black raspberry scents, along with suggestions of pipe tobacco, olive, peony and baking spices. Juicy and energetic in the mouth, offering concentrated red and blue fruit, floral pastille, smoky bacon and spicecake flavors that become sweeter on the back half. Smooth, rounded tannins build steadily on a very long, mineral- and spice-accented finish that leaves behind suggestions of mocha and allspice. 20% new oak. -- Josh Raynolds

An intense nose expressing dark notes of blackberries, dark plums, mocha, stones, bark and hints of grilled herbs and undergrowth. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins. It’s restrained and ample with layers and texture. Focused with a dense core of dark fruits and some bitter chocolate and spices towards the long finish. Try after 2027.

Just a step behind the La Chapelle this vintage, the 2020 Hermitage La Maison Bleue expresses the non-granitic side of Hermitage, in its opulent fruit and early accessibility. Ripe cherries and raspberries dominate the nose, while the full-bodied palate is a bit warm (it's labeled at 15.5% alcohol) with supple tannins and a long, almost creamy-textured finish. - Joe Czerwinski

There are under 2,000 cases of the 2020 Hermitage La Maison Bleue, which comes from the Murets, La Croix, and Dionnières lieux-dits on the eastern side of Hermitage. This classic, elegant, charming effort has beautiful dark, almost blue fruits, plenty of violet, graphite, and chocolate nuances, medium to full body, and a round, supple, sexy style. This beauty is going to benefit from just 2-4 years and evolve for 15+.

A classy, fresh and aromatic display, this is harmonious already. Medium-bodied, with more measured fruit and freshness on the palate, fine tannins and plenty of them. The oak is well-integrated. It is slightly warming on the palate, but is otherwise well-balanced. Long finish.