Louis Barruol 'La Pierrelle,' Hermitage Blanc, France 2016
Louis Barruol 'La Pierrelle,' Hermitage Blanc, France 2016
Louis Barruol is one of the Rhône Valley’s most wildly respected winemakers. He is the fourteenth generation in his family to make wine in his sixteenth-century domaine in the Southern Rhône’s Gigondas; you may be familiar with it, Château de Saint Cosme. The label ‘Louis Barruol’ is Barruol’s micro-negotiant business in conjunction with importer Kermit Lynch, spearheaded by a love for Côte Rôtie and the ancient Serine clone of Syrah. But among this lineup of meaty, concentrated, and rustic Syrah lies the white I am looking for, Hermitage Blanc ‘La Pierrelle’ 2016. 💥
The lieu-dit La Pierrelle lies at the top of the hill of Hermitage, 80-year-old vines facing south-southwest, with granite soil and galet stones. 100% Marsanne, the wine is fermented in Burgundian barrels, and is neither racked, fined, or filtered before bottling.
La Pierrelle is loaded with richness and complexity. Nuanced but energetic. I will not compare this to Chave Hermitage Blanc, because it is about $250 less expensive than Chave (depending on where you look). Fragrant elements of dried stone fruits, nectarine, and smoke permeate the senses, while the palate provokes a lengthy finish of surprising mineral core along with juicy fruit. The value here is undeniable if you have a soft spot for Rhône whites, such as myself. For $85 this is a stellar bottle of wine from one of France’s most impressive terroirs.
- Kimberly
Pairing: Butter poached lobster, Chicken in a cream sauce, creamy risotto
Grape: Masanne
Viticulture: Sustainable
Soil: Granite
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