I hadn't had this wine in a couple of vintages and I always have had a sweet spot for it. It's a bit more austere and serious than previous vintages I tasted, and a bit more complex too.
Licorice, blackberry, leather, a touch of mint, some Cola notes and some heat... Wow it's a serious nose, a lot let's playful and fruitful than in my memories. The palate shows a great acid drive, some serious grip, some width, some matter on the edges, a nice blackberry note through and through, along with, again, these Cola notes that I usually associate with natural gamays from the Beaujolais region, some grippy tannins kick off in the rear, powering a long, fruity, grippy finish that lasts for a very long time. These tannins tend to make the wine a bit more austere and complex but the Cola notes remind you it's an organic, natural wine style too. I like it very much. And this is the entry level cuvée of this Domaine! — 5 months ago
100% old-vine Marsanne from the Les Murets lieu dit which is predominantly east facing on the hill. This was the most powerful of the three Hermitage Blancs tonight. The nose was redolent of marmalade, honey, butter cream frosting, and slate. Luxurious texture with a long finish. Lovely with monkfish, sweet potato, leek, and winter truffle. Drink now through 2034+. — 2 months ago
Phenomenal! Dark plum base but layers of exhiberant and concentrated small dark berries and red fruit jump from the glass, but all enveloped in deep, complex earthy tones. Palate is insane, minerality and acidity are tingling, almost sparking on the sides of the mouth, mingling with the very fine lively tannins. So much pleasure without sacrificing any seriousness — 5 months ago
Pretty stellar. One of the best Rhone whites I have had in a very long time. — 6 months ago
18.5 Deep gold. Nose brilliant, very complex. Great mouthfeel, perfect balance, rich but not cloying. So long - i taste it 5 minutes later when writin this.Amazing wine! — 2 years ago
Jay Kline
The vines for Chapoutiers “L’Ermite” are largely pre-phylloxera and some are well over a century old. Along with the typical associated fruits and non-fruits: brambles, spiced grilled meat and minerals, this bottle of the 1999 had a bit of a radish note, some old dusty leather-bound books and also had a touch of ethyl acetate. A touch closed relative to the other wines in the Hermitage flight but certainly didn’t seem to be fading and the grilled lamb and Moroccan spices helped to unlock some of its character. Drink now through 2035. Merci Dave! — 2 months ago