Notify me
2018 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch
Hermitage
Marsanne vines and apricot trees share a sliver of the storied hill of Hermitage, as both need to keep their feet wet, with roots in a soil that retains humidity—a rarity on the parched, windswept rise. However, a few exceptional parcels lie near the summit, where geology has gifted to Marsanne (and us) a soil with crushed limestone on top, and plenty of water retained year-round well below the surface. From the small plot called La Pierrelle, whose vines are more than eighty years old, comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes. Some say those fruit notes are the result of bees pollinating the surrounding apricot trees as well as the vines; others claim they are from the plants’ interlacing roots. In any event, the flavors of fruit and flower over time veer toward a light touch of honey, and those bitters get more complex, refined, and irresistible. The classic local pairings for Hermitage blanc, especially as it ages, are white meat and fish dishes heavy in cream, butter, and morel mushrooms: timeless matches for a decidedly old-school wine.
—Chris Santini
| Wine Type: | white |
| Vintage: | 2018 |
| Bottle Size: | 750mL |
| Blend: | Marsanne |
| Appellation: | Hermitage |
| Country: | France |
| Region: | Northern Rhône |
| Producer: | Barruol / Lynch |
| Winemaker: | Louis Barruol |
| Vineyard: | 80 years |
| Soil: | Granite |
| Aging: | Pressed and fermented in Burgundian barrels |
| Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
| Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
France | Northern Rhône
Delicate and perfumed, it speaks softly, yet it has so much to say: lilies, bacon fat, spices... it could only be Côte Rôtie.
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc
France | Northern Rhône
This blanc is befittingly made from only Marsanne, with subtle, but not shy notes of stony peach, orange blossom, and pear.
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
France | Northern Rhône
This juicy, blueberry-and-leather-infused Syrah with a long finish is ready to drink tonight.
2022 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
France | Northern Rhône
It is a real-deal northern Rhône roasted-slope Syrah that walks the tightrope perfectly between creamy fruit, meaty tannins, and fresh spine.
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
France | Northern Rhône
From the classic aromas of graphite, black fruit, and roasted spice, to the total finesse of its tannins, this is Côte-Rôtie at its best.
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
Expansive savory aromas, meaty, broad, velvety tannins, grandness, ripeness and freshness, all at once. Only in Hermitage!
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
** New Wine Added ** From vines that are more than eighty years old comes this Marsanne with magnificent floral, pit fruit, and bitter notes.
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Terre Blanche”
France | Northern Rhône
Elegant blue and black fruit abound, but here it mingles with a hint of sanguinity and some dusty tannin.
2023 Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Ribaudes”
France | Northern Rhône
A testament to Lionel’s house style, Les Ribaudes is vibrant and juicy with a hint of peppery spice, and earthy minerality imprinted by its granite terroir. Old-school Saint-Joseph at its finest.
About The Producer
Barruol / Lynch
Louis Barruol is an indefatigable force in the Rhône, the 14th generation in his family to be making wine in Gigondas. On what was once the site of a Roman villa, Louis’ cellars show spectacular remains of Roman vinification vats carved into the limestone. Here, Louis works with different grape varietals from the Rhône, vinifying each parcel separately. He’s taken to acting as a micro-négociant, working with top growers in the region who still work with Sérine. Producing only a few precious barrels of each cuvée, Louis is helping to save the authenticity and identity of old Côte Rôtie parcels. Together, he and Kermit blend our Northern Rhône wines and a Southern Côtes du Rhône Blanc and Rouge from a selection of Louis’ purchases.
More from Northern Rhône or France
2023 Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Ardèche Syrah “Syrah Mauve”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2001 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Northern Rhône
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint Joseph Rouge “Les Ribaudes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Ardèche Syrah “Syrah Mauve”
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2022 Condrieu “Chéry”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Condrieu
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2001 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Northern Rhône
2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Besset”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas “Renaissance”
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
Our Guarantee
Our Guarantee
We only import wine we drink and enjoy ourselves, directly from the source.
Our wine tastes the same in your home as it did where it was bottled in Europe.
Like the long-term relationships we build with growers, we build long-term relationships with our clients. Have a question? Need wine advice? Just give us a call—510-524-1524.
Promo Code Terms
There are two types of promo codes
1) a code that gives you a percentage off your order
2) a code that gives you a dollar amount off your order
How do promo codes or coupon codes work?
When you place an order with a percentage coupon code, the discount only applies to discount eligible items. An eligible item typically is a product that does not already have a discount. Sampler packs that already have discounts applied to them do not count towards the minimum of 12 eligible items. In your shopping cart, you'll see percentage discounts next to each bottle.
When you place an order with a dollar amount code, the dollar amount is added to your discount. In your shopping cart, the dollar amount is subtracted from your total, and does not show next to each bottle.