While billed as a second wine, there’s nothing inferior about the 2012 Hermitage la Petite Chapelle. A terrific wine in its own right, it offers classic currants, black raspberry, smoked earth, ground herbs and subtle meatiness to go with a ripe, full-bodied, textured and balanced style on the palate. Despite having a slightly upfront style, it has ample mid-palate concentration and building tannin.