Rhône
The Rhône Valley, located in southeastern France, is renowned for its exceptional fine wines. With its diverse terroir, rich history, and dedication to quality winemaking, the Rhône Valley offers a captivating selection of wines that embody the region's elegance, complexity, and distinctive character.
The Rhône Valley boasts its own iconic vineyards and wineries, including Château de Beaucastel, Domaine Guigal, and Chapoutier, which are celebrated for producing exceptional wines that showcase the region's unique terroir and winemaking expertise.
The Rhône Valley is renowned for its red wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Syrah reigns as the dominant grape variety, producing intense and structured wines. Appellations such as Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, and Cornas are known for their robust and age-worthy reds, often displaying notes of black fruits, spice, and earthiness. Famous vineyards such as La Landonne, La Mouline, and Les Bessards are revered for their exceptional expressions of Syrah.
In the southern Rhône Valley, Grenache takes centre stage, contributing to the region's bold and fruit-forward red blends. The renowned appellation of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famous for its rich and full-bodied red wines, often featuring a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Vineyards like Château de Beaucastel, Clos des Papes, and Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe produce remarkable wines that showcase the region's commitment to excellence.
The Rhône Valley is also celebrated for its white wines, particularly in the northern part of the region. Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are the key grape varieties, producing aromatic and complex whites. Appellations like Condrieu and Hermitage produce exceptional white wines known for their floral aromas, stone fruit flavors, and vibrant acidity.
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Rhône
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 16 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€1,869.86 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Cask sample. Ground coffee and earthy graphite notes on the nose, intense notes of crushed violet and rose petal as well as a meaty and savoury note. Really powerful mid palate with a concentrated and super-intense fruit core that is packed full of fruit, spice, lavender, meat and game. The tannins are compact, tightly wound and driving the core of exceptional fruit. So much potential but I expect this to shut down for a while. (AC) |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,068.25 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is one of the greatest dry white wines I have ever tasted. The 1999 Ermitage l'Ermite is a liquid mineral, crystalline expression. It is the essence of its grape as well as terroir. It may be the greatest expression of terroir I have seen outside of a handful of Alsatian Rieslings (Clos Ste. Hune comes to mind). It has that transparent character that terroiristes talk more about than actually recognize. Drinking it is like consuming a liquified stony concoction mixed with white flowers, licorice, and honeyed fruits. It is frightfully pure, dense, and well-delineated. As I said last year, There is no real fruit character, just glycerin, alcohol, and liquid stones. That's about it, but, wow, what an expression! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. This is for the connoisseur of rare wines. Along with Gerard and Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier is producing the finest expressions of white Hermitage. His single vineyard cuvees are to die for if you like these eccentric, idiosyncratic, mammoth dry whites. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€2,758.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is one of the greatest dry white wines I have ever tasted. The 1999 Ermitage l'Ermite is a liquid mineral, crystalline expression. It is the essence of its grape as well as terroir. It may be the greatest expression of terroir I have seen outside of a handful of Alsatian Rieslings (Clos Ste. Hune comes to mind). It has that transparent character that terroiristes talk more about than actually recognize. Drinking it is like consuming a liquified stony concoction mixed with white flowers, licorice, and honeyed fruits. It is frightfully pure, dense, and well-delineated. As I said last year, There is no real fruit character, just glycerin, alcohol, and liquid stones. That's about it, but, wow, what an expression! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. This is for the connoisseur of rare wines. Along with Gerard and Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier is producing the finest expressions of white Hermitage. His single vineyard cuvees are to die for if you like these eccentric, idiosyncratic, mammoth dry whites. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94-97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€534.25 |
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Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)Light gold. Intense, explosively perfumed and captivating, with a fabulous display of fruit, herb, mineral and spice aromas. A replay of the outstanding 2004, showing a leesy, pungent personality that suggests a great grand cru white Burgundy. The sheer flavor extract is remarkable; flavors include fresh and dried peach, pear, orange rind and honey, and the texture is sappy and tactile. There are only 150 cases of this for the world. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€3,976.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)White wine simply doesn't get any better than the 2012 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc. A massive, concentrated, yet insanely pure and focused effort, it has an incredible bouquet (almond paste, orange rind, caramelized peach), full-bodied richness, no hard edges and finish that just won't quit. Of all the 2012 whites, this has the most minerality, purity and precision. I'd happily drink it anytime over the coming 3-4 decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€4,180.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Completing a trifecta of perfect whites, the 2013 Ermitage l’Ermite Blanc is another sensational effort that offers incredible minerality/liquid rock in its pineapple, tangerine, flower oil, mint and caramelized citrus-driven bouquet. Full-bodied and beautiful on the palate, with more tension and focus than the Cuvee de L’Orée or le Meal, it has perfectly balanced richness, structure and freshness, with no hard edges and a blockbuster finish. It won't be accessible for another 3-4 years and will most likely be immortal in the cellar. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€5,230.38 |
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Vinous (94)Brilliant yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of pear, Meyer lemon and jasmine; hints of smoky lees, iodine and fennel emerge with aeration. Sappy, deeply concentrated orchard and pit fruit, melon and brioche flavors are sharpened by an incisive mineral nuance. Finishes sappy, minerally and extremely long, with echoes of citrus pith and dusty minerals adding cut and focus. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€3,742.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases produced), as it perfectly balances richness and power with refinement and structure. Toasted brioche and citrus marmalade, honey and truffle notes deliver sheer full-bodied, mouth-filling decadence, supported by austere notes of crushed granite, zesty grapefruit rind and cooling brine. Huge and intense yet refreshing, it's the essence of granite-grown Marsanne. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€3,454.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)Another truly flawless wine from this dream team is the 2018 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc, which comes from a vineyard located at the top of Hermitage Hill and was brought up in 20-25% new demi-muids. Offering a magical bouquet of liqueur of rock, quince, poached pears, orange blossom, and honeysuckle, it's a powerful, super-rich, expressive, full-bodied white that could come from nowhere else in the world. It's approachable today (it needs plenty of air) yet won't hit prime for another 7-8 years or so. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€4,138.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Since I reviewed the 2019 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc last year (98+), I had some doubts about spending the time to re-review it. But one taste had me transfixed. Hints of crushed stone and subtle oak appear on the nose, backed by waves of honeyed pear and pineapple, plus enough invigorating citrus to provide a sense of freshness. Full-bodied and rich without being heavy, this has come into its own, being incredibly long, balanced and ethereal on the finish. Amazing stuff! |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€2,870.87 |
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Rhone | 5 | - |
Inc. TAX
€2,694.26 |
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Rhone | 1 | 90-91 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€488.04 |
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Vinous (90-91)Dark ruby-red. Kirsch, cassis, violet, smoke and spices on the sappy nose. Very bound-up in the mouth today, with strong acidity dominating. I don't currently get the sheer richness of Hermitage, but this is precise, very firmly structured and very young. Finishes with firm tannins and a note of vanillin oak. Should age slowly and well. |
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Rhone | 1 | 93+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,760.93 |
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Vinous (93+)Full ruby-red. Granitic aromas of gunflint, minerals and licorice. Lush, rich and seamless but very backward, with very dark flavors of blackberry, licorice and spice. Less obviously sweet than the extraordinary Pavillon bottling, but this, too, dusts the entire palate. A wine of great structure and power. Explosive, gripping finish. |
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Rhone | 2 | 93+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€2,230.38 |
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Vinous (93+)Full ruby-red. Granitic aromas of gunflint, minerals and licorice. Lush, rich and seamless but very backward, with very dark flavors of blackberry, licorice and spice. Less obviously sweet than the extraordinary Pavillon bottling, but this, too, dusts the entire palate. A wine of great structure and power. Explosive, gripping finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€2,654.87 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Even inkier in color than the 2010, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal is as good as Hermitage gets. Locked and loaded with phenomenal notes of jammy black raspberries, creme de cassis, crushed violets, smoked earth and spice, it's thick and unctuous on the palate, with incredible density, a huge mid-palate and a layered, multi-dimensional, seamless, elegant texture that just keeps you coming back and begging for another sip. More hedonistic and voluptuous than the 2010, it should still evolve for just as long, yet have even a broader drink window. |
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Rhone | 3 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,462.38 |
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Wine Advocate (98)Similar to the '12 and showing the generosity and warmth of this site, the 2011 Ermitage le Meal is another sexy wine that's just hard to resist. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's slightly more red fruit-driven with black raspberries, crushed flowers, sweet spice and roasted herb aromas and flavors all emerging from the glass. One of the denser, more concentrated 2011s out there, it still shows the 2011 extroverted and straight-up hedonistic character and will drink well for another 20+ years. |
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Rhone | 4 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,324.38 |
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Wine Advocate (97)A classic expression of the gorgeous, sunbaked vineyard, the 2013 Ermitage le Méal is as ripe, sexy and voluptuous as they come in the vintage. Black raspberries, jammy blackberries, licorice, toasted spice and crushed flowers are just some of the nuances in the bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth-filling with ripe tannin, plenty of mid-palate density (which can be lacking in some wines in the vintage) and with a great finish, it has the balance and texture to dish out pleasure today, but will have 25 or more years of overall longevity. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€2,254.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)A perfect wine, the 2015 Ermitage Le Méal offers straight-up otherworldly notes of black raspberries, toasted spices, licorice, scorched earth and flowers. With a huge, unctuous profile on the palate, a stacked mid-palate, sweet, sweet tannin and awesome purity, it's as good as it gets. This cuvée is always one of the more forward, sexy wines in the lineup, but it still needs 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97-99 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,630.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)Also inky colored, the 2018 Ermitage Le Méal is another monster of a wine that has over-the-top notes of black raspberries, cassis, graphite, new leather, ground pepper, and incense. Massive, rich, full-bodied, and about as opulent as they come, it's another borderline perfect wine in the making. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97-99 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,426.38 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)Massive red and black fruits, smoked meats, graphite, asphalt, licorice, and ground pepper notes all soar from the 2019 Ermitage Le Méal, which is 100% Syrah from the more loess soils and full-south facing Méal lieu-dit. This puppy is locked and loaded on the palate, with a huge, rich, mouthfilling style, ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95-97 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,538.87 |
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Vinous (95-97)Full purple color. Deeply pitched kirsch, cassis, licorice, olive, cured meat and floral aromas are sharpened by suggestions of black pepper and smoky minerals. Broad and weighty in the mouth, offering intense bitter cherry, dark berry compote, fruitcake and espresso flavors and a sweet hint of candied violet. Chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long, smoky finish that leaves kirsch, licorice, espresso and floral notes behind. This one is built for the long haul. |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,070.65 |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,676.87 |
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Rhone | 6 | 17 (JR) |
Inc. TAX
€1,377.86 |
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Jancis Robinson (17)Cask sample. Juicy and chewy on the nose, there is real tension here and a nose that is fighting with itself between expressive fruit and a steely graphite-like tension. The tannins are firm yet supple and at the moment are framing the core of the wine. Dense and layered, showing lots of character and needs time. (AC) |
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Rhone | 2 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€562.99 |
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Wine Advocate (97)Showing some of the more mature notes found in the 2006, the medium-gold colored 2004 Ermitage le Meal Blanc is another incredibly concentrated, thick and unctuous effort that's overflowing with notes of browned butter, marzipan, honeyed gold fruits and smoked earth. Layered, full-bodied and with notable freshness and purity, it's drinking beautifully today but has another two-plus decades of evolution. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,658.87 |
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Wine Advocate (96)More over the top and decadent than the Cuvee de l’Orée, the 2005 Ermitage le Meal Blanc has overflowing notes of celery seed, sautéed peaches, honeycomb and underlying minerality that literally come soaring from the glass. Full-bodied, thick, unctuous and hedonistic to the max, it lacks a touch of the precision found in the Cuvee de l’Orée, yet makes up for it in sheer hedonistic pleasure and exuberance. It has the concentration to continue drinking nicely for another two decades or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,250.87 |
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Wine Advocate (99)From a warm site and a hot vintage, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal Blanc was harvested on the August 28, and aged in 100% new French oak. Flirting with perfection and a full-bore, exotic, almost over-the-top expression of Marsanne, it has less minerality than the 2010, yet more of everything else with boatloads of caramelized fruits, buttered citrus, white flowers, honey and crushed rocks all soaring from the glass. Rich, layered, exuberant, unctuous and exotic, with stunning freshness despite it's thickness and weight, drink this incredible white anytime over the coming 30-40 years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,456.38 |
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Wine Advocate (99)Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades. |
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Rhone | 4 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,786.38 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Easily the finest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2013 Ermitage le Meal Blanc doesn’t give an inch to the more heralded Cuvee de L’Orée or l’Ermite. Pure perfection in a glass, with awesome caramelized citrus, pineapple, crushed rock, toasted bread and buttered peach, it’s full-bodied, massive and concentrated on the palate, with incredible purity, richness and length. As with the other top whites here, it needs a year or two in the cellar and will have 2-3 decades of longevity. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Rhone | 16 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
€1,536.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)Cask sample. Ground coffee and earthy graphite notes on the nose, intense notes of crushed violet and rose petal as well as a meaty and savoury note. Really powerful mid palate with a concentrated and super-intense fruit core that is packed full of fruit, spice, lavender, meat and game. The tannins are compact, tightly wound and driving the core of exceptional fruit. So much potential but I expect this to shut down for a while. (AC) |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€884.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is one of the greatest dry white wines I have ever tasted. The 1999 Ermitage l'Ermite is a liquid mineral, crystalline expression. It is the essence of its grape as well as terroir. It may be the greatest expression of terroir I have seen outside of a handful of Alsatian Rieslings (Clos Ste. Hune comes to mind). It has that transparent character that terroiristes talk more about than actually recognize. Drinking it is like consuming a liquified stony concoction mixed with white flowers, licorice, and honeyed fruits. It is frightfully pure, dense, and well-delineated. As I said last year, There is no real fruit character, just glycerin, alcohol, and liquid stones. That's about it, but, wow, what an expression! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. This is for the connoisseur of rare wines. Along with Gerard and Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier is producing the finest expressions of white Hermitage. His single vineyard cuvees are to die for if you like these eccentric, idiosyncratic, mammoth dry whites. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€2,280.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)This is one of the greatest dry white wines I have ever tasted. The 1999 Ermitage l'Ermite is a liquid mineral, crystalline expression. It is the essence of its grape as well as terroir. It may be the greatest expression of terroir I have seen outside of a handful of Alsatian Rieslings (Clos Ste. Hune comes to mind). It has that transparent character that terroiristes talk more about than actually recognize. Drinking it is like consuming a liquified stony concoction mixed with white flowers, licorice, and honeyed fruits. It is frightfully pure, dense, and well-delineated. As I said last year, There is no real fruit character, just glycerin, alcohol, and liquid stones. That's about it, but, wow, what an expression! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. This is for the connoisseur of rare wines. Along with Gerard and Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier is producing the finest expressions of white Hermitage. His single vineyard cuvees are to die for if you like these eccentric, idiosyncratic, mammoth dry whites. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94-97 (VN) |
In Bond
€439.00 |
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Vinous - Josh Raynolds (94-97)Light gold. Intense, explosively perfumed and captivating, with a fabulous display of fruit, herb, mineral and spice aromas. A replay of the outstanding 2004, showing a leesy, pungent personality that suggests a great grand cru white Burgundy. The sheer flavor extract is remarkable; flavors include fresh and dried peach, pear, orange rind and honey, and the texture is sappy and tactile. There are only 150 cases of this for the world. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€3,295.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)White wine simply doesn't get any better than the 2012 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc. A massive, concentrated, yet insanely pure and focused effort, it has an incredible bouquet (almond paste, orange rind, caramelized peach), full-bodied richness, no hard edges and finish that just won't quit. Of all the 2012 whites, this has the most minerality, purity and precision. I'd happily drink it anytime over the coming 3-4 decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€3,465.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Completing a trifecta of perfect whites, the 2013 Ermitage l’Ermite Blanc is another sensational effort that offers incredible minerality/liquid rock in its pineapple, tangerine, flower oil, mint and caramelized citrus-driven bouquet. Full-bodied and beautiful on the palate, with more tension and focus than the Cuvee de L’Orée or le Meal, it has perfectly balanced richness, structure and freshness, with no hard edges and a blockbuster finish. It won't be accessible for another 3-4 years and will most likely be immortal in the cellar. |
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Rhone | 1 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€4,340.00 |
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Vinous (94)Brilliant yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of pear, Meyer lemon and jasmine; hints of smoky lees, iodine and fennel emerge with aeration. Sappy, deeply concentrated orchard and pit fruit, melon and brioche flavors are sharpened by an incisive mineral nuance. Finishes sappy, minerally and extremely long, with echoes of citrus pith and dusty minerals adding cut and focus. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€3,100.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases produced), as it perfectly balances richness and power with refinement and structure. Toasted brioche and citrus marmalade, honey and truffle notes deliver sheer full-bodied, mouth-filling decadence, supported by austere notes of crushed granite, zesty grapefruit rind and cooling brine. Huge and intense yet refreshing, it's the essence of granite-grown Marsanne. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (JD) |
In Bond
€2,860.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)Another truly flawless wine from this dream team is the 2018 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc, which comes from a vineyard located at the top of Hermitage Hill and was brought up in 20-25% new demi-muids. Offering a magical bouquet of liqueur of rock, quince, poached pears, orange blossom, and honeysuckle, it's a powerful, super-rich, expressive, full-bodied white that could come from nowhere else in the world. It's approachable today (it needs plenty of air) yet won't hit prime for another 7-8 years or so. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€3,430.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Since I reviewed the 2019 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc last year (98+), I had some doubts about spending the time to re-review it. But one taste had me transfixed. Hints of crushed stone and subtle oak appear on the nose, backed by waves of honeyed pear and pineapple, plus enough invigorating citrus to provide a sense of freshness. Full-bodied and rich without being heavy, this has come into its own, being incredibly long, balanced and ethereal on the finish. Amazing stuff! |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
€2,370.00 |
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Rhone | 5 | - |
In Bond
€2,223.00 |
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Rhone | 1 | 90-91 (VN) |
In Bond
€403.00 |
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Vinous (90-91)Dark ruby-red. Kirsch, cassis, violet, smoke and spices on the sappy nose. Very bound-up in the mouth today, with strong acidity dominating. I don't currently get the sheer richness of Hermitage, but this is precise, very firmly structured and very young. Finishes with firm tannins and a note of vanillin oak. Should age slowly and well. |
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Rhone | 1 | 93+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,455.00 |
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Vinous (93+)Full ruby-red. Granitic aromas of gunflint, minerals and licorice. Lush, rich and seamless but very backward, with very dark flavors of blackberry, licorice and spice. Less obviously sweet than the extraordinary Pavillon bottling, but this, too, dusts the entire palate. A wine of great structure and power. Explosive, gripping finish. |
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Rhone | 2 | 93+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,840.00 |
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Vinous (93+)Full ruby-red. Granitic aromas of gunflint, minerals and licorice. Lush, rich and seamless but very backward, with very dark flavors of blackberry, licorice and spice. Less obviously sweet than the extraordinary Pavillon bottling, but this, too, dusts the entire palate. A wine of great structure and power. Explosive, gripping finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€2,190.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Even inkier in color than the 2010, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal is as good as Hermitage gets. Locked and loaded with phenomenal notes of jammy black raspberries, creme de cassis, crushed violets, smoked earth and spice, it's thick and unctuous on the palate, with incredible density, a huge mid-palate and a layered, multi-dimensional, seamless, elegant texture that just keeps you coming back and begging for another sip. More hedonistic and voluptuous than the 2010, it should still evolve for just as long, yet have even a broader drink window. |
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Rhone | 3 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,200.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)Similar to the '12 and showing the generosity and warmth of this site, the 2011 Ermitage le Meal is another sexy wine that's just hard to resist. Full-bodied and concentrated, it's slightly more red fruit-driven with black raspberries, crushed flowers, sweet spice and roasted herb aromas and flavors all emerging from the glass. One of the denser, more concentrated 2011s out there, it still shows the 2011 extroverted and straight-up hedonistic character and will drink well for another 20+ years. |
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Rhone | 4 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,085.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)A classic expression of the gorgeous, sunbaked vineyard, the 2013 Ermitage le Méal is as ripe, sexy and voluptuous as they come in the vintage. Black raspberries, jammy blackberries, licorice, toasted spice and crushed flowers are just some of the nuances in the bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth-filling with ripe tannin, plenty of mid-palate density (which can be lacking in some wines in the vintage) and with a great finish, it has the balance and texture to dish out pleasure today, but will have 25 or more years of overall longevity. |
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Rhone | 2 | 100 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,860.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (100)A perfect wine, the 2015 Ermitage Le Méal offers straight-up otherworldly notes of black raspberries, toasted spices, licorice, scorched earth and flowers. With a huge, unctuous profile on the palate, a stacked mid-palate, sweet, sweet tannin and awesome purity, it's as good as it gets. This cuvée is always one of the more forward, sexy wines in the lineup, but it still needs 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97-99 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,340.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)Also inky colored, the 2018 Ermitage Le Méal is another monster of a wine that has over-the-top notes of black raspberries, cassis, graphite, new leather, ground pepper, and incense. Massive, rich, full-bodied, and about as opulent as they come, it's another borderline perfect wine in the making. |
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Rhone | 1 | 97-99 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,170.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (97-99)Massive red and black fruits, smoked meats, graphite, asphalt, licorice, and ground pepper notes all soar from the 2019 Ermitage Le Méal, which is 100% Syrah from the more loess soils and full-south facing Méal lieu-dit. This puppy is locked and loaded on the palate, with a huge, rich, mouthfilling style, ripe tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. |
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Rhone | 1 | 95-97 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,260.00 |
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Vinous (95-97)Full purple color. Deeply pitched kirsch, cassis, licorice, olive, cured meat and floral aromas are sharpened by suggestions of black pepper and smoky minerals. Broad and weighty in the mouth, offering intense bitter cherry, dark berry compote, fruitcake and espresso flavors and a sweet hint of candied violet. Chewy tannins add grip to an impressively long, smoky finish that leaves kirsch, licorice, espresso and floral notes behind. This one is built for the long haul. |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
€881.00 |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,375.00 |
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Rhone | 6 | 17 (JR) |
In Bond
€1,126.00 |
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Jancis Robinson (17)Cask sample. Juicy and chewy on the nose, there is real tension here and a nose that is fighting with itself between expressive fruit and a steely graphite-like tension. The tannins are firm yet supple and at the moment are framing the core of the wine. Dense and layered, showing lots of character and needs time. (AC) |
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Rhone | 2 | 97 (WA) |
In Bond
€463.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97)Showing some of the more mature notes found in the 2006, the medium-gold colored 2004 Ermitage le Meal Blanc is another incredibly concentrated, thick and unctuous effort that's overflowing with notes of browned butter, marzipan, honeyed gold fruits and smoked earth. Layered, full-bodied and with notable freshness and purity, it's drinking beautifully today but has another two-plus decades of evolution. |
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Rhone | 1 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,360.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96)More over the top and decadent than the Cuvee de l’Orée, the 2005 Ermitage le Meal Blanc has overflowing notes of celery seed, sautéed peaches, honeycomb and underlying minerality that literally come soaring from the glass. Full-bodied, thick, unctuous and hedonistic to the max, it lacks a touch of the precision found in the Cuvee de l’Orée, yet makes up for it in sheer hedonistic pleasure and exuberance. It has the concentration to continue drinking nicely for another two decades or more. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,020.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)From a warm site and a hot vintage, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal Blanc was harvested on the August 28, and aged in 100% new French oak. Flirting with perfection and a full-bore, exotic, almost over-the-top expression of Marsanne, it has less minerality than the 2010, yet more of everything else with boatloads of caramelized fruits, buttered citrus, white flowers, honey and crushed rocks all soaring from the glass. Rich, layered, exuberant, unctuous and exotic, with stunning freshness despite it's thickness and weight, drink this incredible white anytime over the coming 30-40 years. |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,195.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades. |
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Rhone | 4 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,470.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Easily the finest vintage of this cuvee to date, the 2013 Ermitage le Meal Blanc doesn’t give an inch to the more heralded Cuvee de L’Orée or l’Ermite. Pure perfection in a glass, with awesome caramelized citrus, pineapple, crushed rock, toasted bread and buttered peach, it’s full-bodied, massive and concentrated on the palate, with incredible purity, richness and length. As with the other top whites here, it needs a year or two in the cellar and will have 2-3 decades of longevity. |
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