Jean-Michel Sorrel is a lawyer who inherited about 2.5 acres of vines from his late father, Henri Sorrel, while the majority of his father's vineyards went to his brother Marc. What he inherited, though, were two outstanding parcels in the famous Hermitage vineyards Le Greffieux and Les Meal.
Jean-Michel and his wife Michelle farms these parcels like a backyard garden, and the wines are excellent. In his 1990 book about Rhone wines, Robert Parker comments that " this estate is worth keeping an eye on as the potential is enormous, although the quantities of wine are microscopic."
That potential is being realized. Clearly, with production this small, they aren't driven by financial considerations, but make wine for their own taste. The wines are tank fermented and aged in older oak barrels, and bottled unfiltered. This 2004 shows a richness and easy drinking quality that can belie its underlying complexity. Take your time and savor the different elements - smoke, pepper, "meatiness", and fruit - that make this an outstanding Hermitage at a great price.
