l'Ermite Ermitage Marsanne

Lots of fun bottles were popped at Al’s hosting this past weekend for his birthday celebration. All were served blind. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 6 reds and 1 dessert wine.

This was tough. Most were between Rhône or Cali chard. Had a distinct waxy pineapple trait to it. It walked a razor thin line to where it was almost mineral driven but the fruit was too pure. Gained more sea salt honey notes as it opened. Viscous. Rounded profile but the oak was always in the very back. Notes are consistent from the last time I tried this a few months ago. I called this Peter Michael Chardonnay from 2010.

July 4th Friday was a total blowout! Killer bottles one after another. Here are just a few of the bottles we all enjoyed!

Powerfully viscous and waxy. Almost golden in the glass. Rich floral notes upfront like honeysuckle, but then takes a more poached pear like turn in the middle before finishing savory and mineral driven. This deserved a table of its own so it could be appreciated over the length of time it was opened.

Starting to shut down but still about as good as white wine gets! Incredible minerality.

Viscous, nutty and honeyed

Honeyed, waxy and nutty. Moving between fresh and dried apricots, walnuts and honeycomb. Don't usually dig N. Rhône whites but this is pretty good.

A baby, lots of power hiding, very tightly coiled

Dense wine, heavy and roasted dark flavors

Wonderful example of a Rhone white! Very rich and flavorful.

Precisa acompanhar algo com muita acidez, mas está bem melhor do que esperava

Honey and peaches! A bit of petrol on the nose. Held its own even after the Montrachet.