Notify me
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

2022 Côte-Rôtie “La Boisselée”
France | Northern Rhône
Made from six vineyards that, when blended, showcase the whole of the Côte Rôtie appellation.

2021 Hermitage Rouge “La Pierrelle”
France | Northern Rhône
A thick perfume of dry-aged meat, smoke, and violets preface a wine that is powerful, but in perfect proportion.

2021 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.

2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
France | Northern Rhône
September Club Rouge ~ This juicy, blueberry-and-leather-infused Syrah with a long finish is ready to drink tonight.

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.

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.

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 evoking velvety blackberry fruit, cracked pepper, and crushed schist stone.

2020 Côte-Rôtie “Fongeant”
France | Northern Rhône
From the border of the Côte Blonde and Côte Brune, and renowned for sharing the best of both: structure from the Brune, with silky, floral elegance provided by the Blonde.

2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
France | Northern Rhône
Hailing from a single vineyard high up on the hill above Saint-Désirat, at the middle point of the Saint-Joseph appellation, this cuvée dials up the fragrance and elegance of Monier-Pérreol’s Saint-Joseph.
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
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint-Joseph “Les Grisières”
André Perret France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côte-Rôtie “Les Roses”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2021 Côtes du Vivarais Rouge
Domaine Gallety France | Northern Rhône
2022 Saint Joseph Rouge “La Gloriette Vieilles Vignes”
Lionel Faury France | Northern Rhône
2021 Cornas
Domaine Clape France | Northern Rhône
2023 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge
Domaine Jamet France | Northern Rhône
2021 Saint-Joseph Rouge “L’Instinct”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Vin de France Blanc “Cuvée de Louis”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Rouge “Châtelet”
Domaine Monier Perréol France | Northern Rhône
2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc “Clef de Sol”
Domaine Jolivet France | Northern Rhône
2022 Crozes Hermitage “Tiercerolles”
Barruol / Lynch France | Northern Rhône
2022 Côte-Rôtie
Domaine Jamet 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.