Honeyed and nutty on the nose, this appears at first sniff to be very ripe and rich. And the palate follows through, delivering waves of fabulously rich fruit that miraculously don’t seem heavy. A marvel.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
From 50-year-old vines, this is Sorrel’s top cuvée of white Hermitage, laden with scents of truffled honey and almonds. Yet despite that obvious richness on the nose, it’s a bit more restrained on the palate than the 2005, with a more powerful structure and marginally less lushness. Not better, not worse, just different: longer on the finish, more tightly…
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
Intoxicatingly fruity and forward on the nose, this wine—a blend of Le Méal and Les Greffieux—follows up with rich layers of black fruit. It may lack a little of the minerality found in other parts of Hermitage, but this is immensely seductive stuff—maybe the Pomerol of Hermitage?
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
In a cool vintage like 2004, Sorrel’s parcels in the warmest terroirs of the hill (Le Méal and Les Greffieux) can outperform. This is less rich than the 2005, but still amazingly flattering, filled with spicy complexity and red fruit. Drink now–2020.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
Like the 2005, this is a nutty wine, but it is also a touch crisper and should prove to be marginally longer-lived. Broad and mouthcoating, with layers of richness.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
Very spicy, but also possessing enough cassis and cherry fruit to make a wonderful marriage. The lovely velvety texture just turns a tad dry on the finish; give it five years in the cellar.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
A bit light, in the style of the vintage, but with wonderfully intricate spice complexity wrapped around leather and red fruit. The creamy mouthfeel gives this wine a sense of delicacy not often found in Hermitage. Drink this pretty wine over the next 7–10 years.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
Broad, buttery and rich, this is a powerful, low-acid white Hermitage. It’s loaded with nutty elements and body, less so with fruit and finesse.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)