Description
La Pierrelle (Blanc) Hermitage 2020
This exceptional white Hermitage is a collaboration between the renowned Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme and iconic importer Kermit Lynch, showcasing the profound potential of the Northern Rhône. It is a single-varietal wine comprised of 100% Marsanne, sourced exclusively from the "La Pierrelle" lieu-dit situated near the summit of the Hermitage hill. The vines here are over eighty years old, their deep root systems extracting immense complexity from a unique terroir defined by crushed limestone and granite with galet stones. The 2020 vintage was marked by a warm, dry summer that accelerated ripening, yet the specific hydrology of La Pierrelle—which retains subsurface humidity—allowed the fruit to maintain freshness and balance despite the heat.
In the glass, the wine reveals a brilliant pale yellow-gold hue, hinting at its richness. The nose is an intricate and pungent bouquet of mineral-drenched pear, lemon pith, and ginger, woven together with delicate aromatic threads of jasmine, fennel, and chamomile. On the palate, this is a distinctively full-bodied, dry white wine that possesses a viscous, weighty texture while remaining shockingly lively and energetic. Generous flavors of melon, ripe peach, and apricot wash over the tongue, structured by a vibrant acidity and a complex, bitter almond and crushed flint minerality that drives the experience. The finish is remarkably long and harmonious, trailing off with lingering notes of smoky minerals and dried florals.
Winemaking for this cuvée is traditional and non-interventionist, reflecting Louis Barruol’s philosophy of letting the terroir speak. The wine is fermented in Burgundian barrels and aged on its lees to enhance texture and mouthfeel. It is bottled without racking, fining, or filtration, preserving the raw integrity and biological vibrancy of the Marsanne grape. Farming follows lutte raisonnée (sustainable) practices, ensuring that the ancient vines and the surrounding ecosystem—including the apricot trees said to be pollinated by the same bees as the vines—thrive in harmony.
This wine’s opulence and structure make it a magnificent partner for rich, savory American cuisine. It pairs beautifully with Lobster Mac and Cheese, where the wine’s creamy weight mirrors the sauce while its acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese. A roasted pork loin with an apricot glaze is another inspired match, as the dish highlights the stone fruit profiles inherent in the Marsanne. For a seafood option, seared scallops in a brown butter sauce offer a decadent textural pairing. This bottling has garnered significant acclaim, earning a massive 95-point score from Wine Spectator, which hailed it as "a stunner." Given its pedigree and the skyrocketing prices of top-tier Hermitage, it represents a remarkable value for the serious collector.
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