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E. Guigal - Hermitage - White 2012
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Blend
95% Marsanne
5% Roussanne - Country France
- Region Rhone Valley
- Appellation Hermitage
- UPC 7 90559 70100 7
Tasting notes
The wine evolves in a remarkable fashion, tasting vibrant and rich just after bottling, developing a softer, rounder character after a few years, and returning with renewed freshness and much greater complexity after 10 or 15 years in the cellar. Guigal’s small production of Hermitage Blanc is made traditionally, with two or more years of cellar aging before bottling.
Estate
The firm of E. Guigal, located in Ampuis, was founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal. Since 1961 his son Marcel has led the estate, and his unparalleled work ethic and dedication to quality have brought attention to Cote-Rotie and other appellations throughout the Rhone that were in danger of being lost, and lifted the Guigal wines to the pinnacle of the wine world. Today, Marcel’s son Philippe serves as Director and Oenologist, continuing the tradition of leadership in the Rhone Valley and uncompromising excellence.
Vineyard
The vines are between 30-90 years of age, with the various blocks planted on granitelimestone, clay loam and sandy gravel topsoils on the famous granite mother rock. Yields are under 2.3 tons per acre.
Vinification
The 2011 Hermitage was picked by hand and vinified at 60-65 degrees Farenheit. Aging took place for 24 months in second year barrels coopered exclusively by Guigal, all second use. Bottling was without fining or filtration.
Wine
Hermitage is one of France's most spectacular and famous appellations, but Hermitage Blanc is one of the least-known yet most intriguing wines of the Rhone Valley. Composed primarily of Marsanne (95%) and small amounts of Roussanne (5%), it is relatively rare, accounting for only a small percentage of the production of the 309 acre Hermitage AOC.
