2020 Hermitage Blanc “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch
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: | 2020 |
| 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
2023 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
France | Northern Rhône
Exuberant, dark-fruited aromatics melding with earthy undertones of bitter cacao. Delicious now, or mind-melting in ten years.
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
France | Northern Rhône
This juicy, blueberry-and-leather-infused Syrah with a long finish is ready to drink tonight.
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!
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 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “l’Art Zélé”
France | Northern Rhône
If you want to experience classic flavors of northern Rhône Syrah, here is a textbook example.
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
France | Northern Rhône
This thoroughbred wine is sculpted for the cellar but still provides a lot of immediate gratification.
2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.
2023 Ardèche Syrah “Syrah Mauve”
France | Northern Rhône
February Club Gourmand ~ Young vines in Mauves, short maceration, stainless-steel aged... but definitely no simple Syrah!
2024 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “Les Hautes Ribaudes”
France | Northern Rhône
With lovely notes of currant and violets, this bright, crunchy wine is irresistible in its youth. Serve cool with just about anything.
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.
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 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “l’Art Zélé”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Terre Blanche”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2023 Côte-Rôtie “Les 3 Brunes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2023 Collines Rhodaniennes Syrah “l’Art Zélé”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2024 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes-Hermitage Rouge
Domaine Jean-Claude Marsanne France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2023 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Terre Blanche”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.