2019 Domaine Belle Hermitage Blanc
SKU #1574893
95 points
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Hermitage Blanc is a 60/40 split of Marsanne and Roussanne that was brought up in plenty of new barrels. Its medium gold hue is followed by a great nose of honeyed lemon, quince, crushed stone, and bitter almonds. It shows more butter and toasty notes with time in the glass and is just a classy, rich, complex Hermitage. Full-bodied on the palate, with plenty of viscosity paired with notable freshness, it's geared for the dinner table and will keep for 15 years or more in cold cellars.
(4/2021)
93 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Crozes Hermitage Roche Blanche is another tremendous Marsanne-based effort from the white soils of Larnage. Barrel fermented and aged in one-fourth new oak (the rest goes into second use barrels), it offers up seductive aromas of peaches, pears and melon accented by hints of pencil shavings and crushed stone. Full-bodied and rich on the palate, it remains fresh and lively, buoyed by ample acids, hints of citrus zest and briny notes on the long, lingering finish. As I've said before, these are wines I love in their youth, but if you enjoy aged Rhône white wines, you might want to consider holding them up to a decade (or more). (JC)
(5/2021)
K&L Notes
The roots of the Belle family run deep in Hermitage and extend back to the 18th century when the family began acquiring vines in the region. When descendant Louis Belle assumed control of the property he preferred tending vines over making wine. In 1933, he became one of the founding members of the Cave de Tain, the local cooperative. It was not until 2003 when grandson Philippe began making wines for the domaine. The property has 25 hectares of vines planted across Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and St-Joseph, along with apricot orchards and a vine nursery tended by Philippe's brother, Jean-Claude. The vineyards were certified organic in 2014. The Blanc comes from vineyards in the Peleas, Maison Blanche and Diognières lieu-dits. It is a blend of around 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, vinified in 75% new oak and 25% one year-old barrels. It is aged for about 20 months before bottling. Creamy rich and redolent with grilled lemon, nectarine, hazelnuts and nutmeg. Beautiful in its you, it is also a worthy cellar candidate. (ECOCERT Certified Organic)
