We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
Items not labeled as Rapid Ship or Pre-arrival may require a transfer from the warehouse to our shipping facility before shipping, which can take 4–6 business days. Learn more on the Shipping Info page.
In-store Only Items
These items are available at our location to purchase in-store, or to choose in-store pickup at checkout.
Long-term Pre-arrival Items
Long Term Pre-arrival Definition: Ordering wine directly through us from our supplier partners in Europe in advance of the item’s physical arrival in the US.
Long Term Pre-arrival sales ensure you’re getting the best possible price and that you have also secured the product before it hits the normal retail supply chain. The lead time for Pre-arrival goods is generally 4–8 months, sometimes longer based on supply chain and the logistics of transporting goods overseas. The expectation, from our team, is to communicate to the customer the location of their purchase every step of the way.
This product is offered as a full case purchase option, minimum order quantities may be applicable. When available, multiple case options will be presented. If you are purchasing a Pre-Arrival item you must order a solid case.
Rapid Ship
Items listed as "rapid ship" are in stock and available for immediate pickup or shipment. Those that do not have the "rapid ship" icon are housed with our supplier and must be transferred to our warehouse before they can be picked up or shipped. This requires 4-6 business days but usually occurs sooner. Some products will list both options of availability as there will be a certain number in stock, with the option to order additional bottles to be transferred from the supplier.
We offer FREE ground shipping and discounted upgraded shipping on orders with multiples of 12 qualifying bottles. Solid cases or mix-and-match, look for the yellow 12 FREE badge and save!
Sample image only.Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.
SKU 880323
$986.16/case
$164.36/bottle
Tariffs included
Out of stock
Want to be notified when this product is back in stock?
Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it’s all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long.
Known as Syrah in most countries around the world, and Shiraz in Australia and certain other regions of the New World, this grape varietal has proven over the centuries to be one of the most powerful and flavorful red wine grapes there is. It is now one of the planet's most widely grown grapes, and is a favorite with wineries as a result of its robustness and versatility. It isn't easy to identify many characteristics of this particular varietal, due to the fact that it is highly versatile and shows significant differences in flavor and character depending on the terroir it is grown in, and the climatic conditions of the region. However, Syrah is most widely associated with full bodied, strong and loud red wines, packed full of fruity and spicy flavors, held in a beautifully deep red liquid.
France, often regarded as the heart of the wine world, boasts a rich history, diverse terroirs, and a captivating variety of grape varietals. From the renowned vineyards of Bordeaux to the picturesque landscapes of Burgundy, France offers a wine lover’s dream journey. Whether you’re new to the world of wine or a seasoned enthusiast looking […]
The Rhone Valley of southern France is a particularly fascinating wine region, with a history that stretches back to at least six hundred BCE, when the ancient Greeks first began cultivating vines there. The region itself is split into two distinct sub-regions, with the northern sub-region being famed for its production of exceptional Syrah, Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier wines, packed full of interesting character and expressing the terroir found there. The southern sub-region is home to an enormous variety of grapes, and produces red, white and rosé wines, and some of the world's most famous and adored blended wines. The continental climate of the region is ideal for growing grapes, and the winds which blow from the Central Massif help temper the heat in the vineyards, leading to very ripe fruits holding plenty of flavor.
Appellation
Hermitage
Hermitage, a revered appellation in the Northern Rhône Valley, France, stands as a viticultural icon synonymous with Syrah greatness. What makes Hermitage unique is its commanding south-facing granite slopes along the Rhône River, bathed in sunlight and sheltered from the mistral winds. This terroir imparts distinct intensity and concentration to the Syrah grapes, resulting in wines of extraordinary depth and longevity.
Hermitage wines are renowned for their complexity, showcasing dark fruit, black pepper, and a profound minerality. The appellation also allows for a small percentage of white grapes—Marsanne and Roussanne—adding elegance and aromatic richness to the whites produced.
Legendary producers like Chapoutier and Jaboulet have contributed to Hermitage's reputation for excellence, highlighting the appellation's dedication to crafting wines that embody the essence of Syrah and the unique terroir of the Rhône Valley. Exploring Hermitage offers a captivating journey into the pinnacle of Northern Rhône winemaking, where tradition, terroir, and the Syrah grape converge to create wines of unparalleled stature.
WA98pts
Wine Advocate
Boasting classic Les Bessards notes of sun-warmed cassis and crushed stone, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards has turned out to be a magnificent wine—a close rival to the potentially perfect 2015. Full-bodied and velvety, concentrated and tannic, overflowing with notes of grilled plums, grilled meat and black olives, it's all topped off by a forever finish that remains fresh and cleansing, courtesy of lingering salted-licorice flavors and the texture of finely ground stone dust. Try a bottle after 2025, if you can wait that long.
VM97pts
Vinous Media
A highly complex bouquet displays an array of mineral-accented dark fruit, floral and spice qualities complemented by suggestions of olive paste, cold, licorice and incense. Stains the palate with densely packed dark berry, cherry, candied violet and fruitcake flavors that become more lively as the wine stretches out.
Shows real finesse for its depth of flavor and finishes extremely long and precise, with a building mineral note, youthtully firm tannins and outstanding, spice- and floral-tinged persistence.
WE97pts
Wine Enthusiast
Les Bressards is a single-vineyard selection limited to 6,000 majestic bottles in any vintage it's produced. Made from 100% Syrah, its black-cherry coulis and crème de cassis flavors are spicy, marked by hits of scorched anise and peppercorn. Anchored by zesty acidity and a bristling mineral undertow, it's a structured red wrapped in tannins that feel feel fierce now but should meld from 2023. The wine will improve well through 2035 and hold much longer still. (Cellar Selection)
JD97pts
Jeb Dunnuck
A stunning Hermitage in every sense, the 2018 Hermitage Les Bessards comes from the steep, broken granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit on Hermitage Hill. Revealing a deep purple/violet color, it has a gorgeous nose of crème de cassis, scorched earth, violets, pepper, and a liquid rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with background oak, flawless balance, ripe yet present tannins, and a great, great finish. It's not a massive Hermitage (especially by this cuvée’s standards in the past) yet has gorgeous purity of fruit and an incredible sense of class. Give bottles 4-5 years (it offers pleasure even today) and it should keep for 30+ years or more.
Winery Notes
A brilliant wine, with deep red hue, and lots of depth. The nose shows great class, with soft aromas of blackberries, violets. Hermitage "Les Bessards" shows plenty of concentration in its fruit. This wine has a particularly dense and rich tannic structure, and is extremely good balance.
