Hermitage: the jewel of the Northern Rhône Valley

 

 

 

The Hermitage appellation (or Hermitage) covers 136 hectares in the Rhône Valley and produces some superb wines. It is a very small appellation located between the communes of Tain l'Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage. Overlooking the left bank of the Rhône, its soils are varied and include, depending on the soil exposure, granites and fluvio-glacial alluvium.

The designation comprises three quite distinct sectors:

• To the west, the Bessards sector This area forms the most prestigious part of the vineyard, with granitic soils (gneiss and mica schist). It contains some of the finest plots: La Chapelle de l'Hermitage and L'Ermite. Some of the vines are pre-phylloxera.
• In the center, le Méal and the Greffieuxwhose soils are calcareous and siliceous.
• Finally, the district of Low walls and Dion trees offer more clayey and more fertile soils.

The Mistral plays a crucial role here: it brings freezing cold in winter and dries the vines in summer.

The red wines (70% of production) are made from the grape variety SyrahIn their youth they offer aromas of red fruits, then evolve towards notes of stone fruits, green olives, undergrowth and truffle. Their aging potential is legendary.

White wines are made from the following grape varieties: Marsanne and Roussane They are characterized by low acidity, a certain density or richness, and a pleasant aroma. They are also remarkable wines for aging. A small production of straw wine should also be noted.

In the 19th century, red wine musts were sent to Bordeaux to "hermit" the Cabernets and Merlots and give them color and a low level of acidity.

Among the largest producers, we should mention  Michel Chapoutier, Paul Jaboulet the ElderJean-Louis Chave, Guigual and its famous Ex-Voto, the domaine Sorel and other less iconic ones like the house Fayolle Fils et Fille and Ferraton. DA for sure, they will help you discover some unmissable gems to build your wine cellar.

Historically noted by Robert Parker, Michel's parcel selections Chapoutier (Ermite, Pavillon, Le Méal, De l'Orée) have often taken the places of honor for both reds and whites with scores generally between 98 and 100/100.