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