Marc Sorrel Hermitage Rouge Le Greal 2023 (1.5L) *
Product price
$957.99
Description
Syrah from the hill of Hermitage in the northern Rhône, where the grape reaches its most structured and long-lived expression, though this bottling from Marc Sorrel makes its case through delicacy rather than sheer force. The Le Gréal cuvée draws on fruit from the Les Greffieux and Le Méal sections, vines planted in 1926 by the winemaker's grandfather, with a small fraction (roughly 8%) of co-planted white varieties. Vinified with whole clusters, the 2023 is a red that carries Hermitage's size while feeling almost weightless.
The nose is exotic and floral, wisteria and violet over cassis, mulberry and a lift of black pepper, with a smoky, iodine edge underneath. It is full-bodied and velvety, built around a fleshy, nearly unctuous core of fruit, yet the tannins are sweet, powdery and so finely integrated that the whole thing feels seamless. There is real freshness and acidity holding the shape, and the finish stretches out long and ethereal, threaded with violet. Precise and harmonious now, and structured to reward patience.
Product Details
| Category | Wine |
| Country | France |
| Region | Rhone |
| Subregion | Hermitage |
| Varietal | Shiraz and Syrah |
| Producer | Marc Sorrel |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Size | 1.5 L |
| Subtype | Still |
Expert Reviews
The floral and wild berry beauty of this wine doesn\'t lie in its enormous concentration and drive, but in the mind-blowing finesse and incredible silkiness of this great masterpiece of delicacy. Where are abundant alcohol and taninns that this unique expression of Hermitage must have? They are in there somewhere, but the wine feels totally weightless. From vineyards planted in 1926 by the winemaker\'s grandfather in the Les Greffieux and Le Meal sections of the hill of Hermitage. Drink from release. (James Suckling)
The 2023 Hermitage Le Gréal is exquisite, wafting from the glass with an exotic bouquet of wisteria, violet, cassis, mulberries and pepper. Full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, it’s built around a fleshy, even unctuous core of fruit underpinned by a delicate chassis of sweet, powdery and perfectly integrated tannins, concluding with a long, ethereal, violet-inflected finish. One of the most precise and seamless renditions of Le Gréal in recent years, it remains harmonious and finely balanced, representing the essence of this remarkable address. (Wine Advocate, May 2026)
Powerful, explosive, peppery mulberry fruit. Very smoky in style, with iodine notes and lots of dense, ripe tannin underneath driving fruits. Very fresh and focused, with good acidity, but has that Hermitage size and body, that majestic, impressive attack and grandeur. Very tannic, again with some stalky notes from 100% whole bunch. 8% co-planted white varieties, all planted in 1926, the same date as the Rocoules vineyard. Will be epic when it's ready. Very ageworthy for a 2023. (Decanter, October 2024)