Hermitage Rouge “Le Rouet” 2016 93 WE EC May20

EDITOR’S CHOICE: Hints of balsamic, smoke and char lend savory spice to this crisply composed Syrah. Moderately full bodied, it’s an elegant wine with penetrating blackberry flavor edged by fine-grained, persistent tannins… it will continue to open and gain expressiveness through 2030. —A.I.