2015 Hermitage Rouge (Magnum, signed by Pascal Fayolle), Domaine des Martinelles

“The Power and the Grace”

Deep crimson with a hint of ink at the rim, this 2015 Hermitage radiates intensity and poise in equal measure. The nose opens with heady aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry and violet, layered with pepper, smoked herbs and a touch of graphite. On the palate, it’s commanding yet composed with dense, dark fruit wrapped in velvet tannins, underpinned by savoury spice and mineral depth. Concentrated, structured and endlessly persistent, it’s the kind of wine that reminds you why Hermitage is hallowed ground.

For when: the meal’s slow, the company’s special, and the cellar door creaks open.
Pairs with: roast lamb, venison, or slow-braised beef cheeks.
If this wine were music, it’d be a symphony - powerful, precise, and unforgettable.

The 2015 vintage is widely hailed as one of the Rhône’s finest — warm, even, and perfectly balanced, yielding wines of both richness and refinement. This cuvée unites two revered south-facing parcels, La Beaume and Pierrelle, where forty-year-old Syrah vines sink deep into brown sand and clay-limestone soils studded with pebbles. Crafted by Pascal Fayolle, who represents the latest generation of a storied northern Rhône lineage, the wine was matured patiently to harness both power and precision. Signed by the winemaker and bottled in magnum, it’s a collector’s piece: expressive today but destined for greatness.

Drink: 2025 – 2035