Hermitage Wine

Hermitage photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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The Hermitage hill is named for a small hillside chapel where, the legend goes, a returning crusader lived as a hermit. This is arguably the most famous Northern Rhône appellation producing a small quantity of extremely complex long-lived read more...reds and full-bodied whites.

With just 331 acres of vineyards on the east side of the Rhône, the Hermitage hill towers over the riverfront town of Tain-l'Hermitage. Only Syrah, Marsanne and Roussanne are planted here on the south-facing, heat-retaining granite hillside. Further expansion of the appellation is impossible and yields are limited to 40 hl/ha., so Hermitage's wines will always be rare.

The heat retaining granite and south exposure encourage ripening and the hill protects the vineyards from the cold Mistral winds out of the north. The hillside is divided into climats with their own soil and particulars; the most famous ones are the hottest sites on the western end of hill. Juice from the different climats was traditionally blended to create complex and balanced wines, but single-vineyard bottlings are becoming increasingly common. Soil erosion is a big problem in Hermitage because of both exposure and gradient - some of the steepest vineyards on the hill have terraces.

Hermitage's red wines are hot fermented in old cooperage leading to marvelous deep colored, perfumed wines that can age decades. Since Hermitage throws a heavy sediment and benefits from long aging, some have compared these super concentrated wines to vintage port without the brandy added! The higher sites on the hill tend to produce slightly lighter wines. Although yields are limited to 40 hl/ha, enrichment is allowed for some vintages, but it cannot take a wine over 13.5% abv (14% for whiltes).

Hermitage's white wines represent just a quarter of production and are more varied than the reds. Some producers allow malolactic fermentation and use new wood, but almost all examples are dominated by the easier to grow Marsanne blending with a small amount of Roussanne. These full bodied white wines have a long aging capacity developing honey and hazelnut flavors.

Four producers dominate Hermitage: Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier, Jaboulet and Delas.    (hide)

Andrij reviewed Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage R M. Chapoutier 8 2007:

November 2009

Andrij

Monier de la Sizeranne Hermitage R M. Chapoutier 8 2007

Starting at $46^.16 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz wrote in the forum topic: Celebratory bottle suggestions, please...

November 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

I would love to offer some suggestions. Can I ask where you are? What are your ... I would suggest a Chave hermitage 1993 or 1996. World class wines under $150 with a fantastic combination of elegance, finesse and...

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GregT wrote in the forum topic: Kia ora

November 2009

GregT

Kia - welcome. Fibo - I don't know zin like the other Greg, but for what it's ... they weren't going to make Hermitage, they did the same with zin. The zins I've had from Australia are more elegant and refined than many...

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Swiss wine- I know nothing!

November 2009

dmcker

Sorry, rereading this I think my description of the Rhone, Lac Leman, Vaud (and ... Beaujolais, Cote Rotie, Hermitage, Chateauneuf du Pape, etc. territory. So the Rhone river and lake passes through those areas where...

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Rhone White Wines for Fall

October 2009

dmcker

Sorry, that last post was a mistake for this thread. I really hate the fact ... here was a Chante-Alouette Hermitage from Chapoutier. Their Cuvee de l’Oree isn't too shabby either, though just a mite pricier..

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Brad Coelho wrote in the forum topic: Rhone White Wines for Fall

October 2009

Brad Coelho

This subject is near and dear to me. My wife loathes white Rhones, mostly due ... textures and flavors. White Hermitage is probably considered the most 'noble,' as the best (from Chave) can evolve into Meursault-like...

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penguinoid reviewed Chateau Curson Crozes-Hermitage 2003:

October 2009

penguinoid

Rich but restrained and elegant. Nose of cherry, juicy red fruit, pepper and other spices and pencil shavings. Palate of red fruit, sour cherries and spices. Oak imparts an almost caramel-like rich sweet smoothness to the...

Chateau Curson Crozes-Hermitage 2003

Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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cookypuss1 reviewed Combier Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2007:

October 2009

cookypuss1

Will look forward to seeing how this evolves over time in the cellar. Nice cassis aroma, with a twinge of chocolate. Full fruit palate with a long and peppery finish.

Combier Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2007

Starting at $24^.69 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz wrote in the forum topic: 1990 Hermitage, 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1962 Vouvray - Aureole, Las Vegas

October 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

Spain makes some great wines. I need to drink some more myself but I do have a few old bottles kicking around in the cellar. I think I will organize an old Spanish Wine dinner.

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Jazzivins wrote in the forum topic: 1990 Hermitage, 1976 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1962 Vouvray - Aureole, Las Vegas

October 2009

Jazzivins

No one Spanish wine rated?..... Can I help you?.. Pls come to Spain you would be surprised.

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RBoulanger modified this page:

Jan 23

RBoulanger

RBoulanger added a photo for Hermitage.

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RBoulanger modified this page:

Jan 23

RBoulanger

RBoulanger wrote a new description for Hermitage.

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