M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, Le Meal Blanc 2018

Leading off the single vineyard Hermitage whites, the 2018 Ermitage De L’Orée is all Marsanne, from the Les Murets lieu-dit, brought up mostly in used demi-muids. Orange blossom, crushed citrus, spice box, white flowers, beautiful minerality, and vivid charcoal notes emerge from the glass of this beautiful, concentrated, opulent Hermitage, which has a stacked mid-palate and a level of structure fitting for a red wine. It's a brilliant wine that's going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 20. Drink 2022-2042.

This has weight but perhaps not quite the depth of some more recent vintages of de l'Orée, however it does have a little more juice with a good sense of freshness and length even if the acidity is low. A little more floral in style than most recent vintages with balanced alcohol. From 70-year-old vines from the lieu-dit Les Murets. All matured in demi muid with 15% new oak.

Drink 2022-2030