Getting to know white Hermitage

An unforgettable and totally brilliant wine that could come from no other terroir – and no other producer. The aromas of citrus oils and ripe...

There was just 20-30% of a normal crop in 2016 due to hail, but thankfully the 2016 Chave Blanc is full, rich and flowing. Notes of...

Successive passes through the vineyard select only the best grapes, with a minimum of 360g/l of residual sugar, which are then dried on straw mats...

From a 3.5ha plot of ancient glacial alluvial deposits of lieu-dit Les Murets, this is an outrageous and addictive style. Toasted almond and marzipan notes are...

This has a beautiful nose of barley sugar, marzipan and sweet decaying leaf mulch. It has rich, almost sweet quince fruit on the palate, honeyed...

The clay-limestone lieu-dit of Les Rocoules typically gives wines with power but vivacity. This is perhaps not quite as elegant and balanced as some white...

A pretty rich year according to Jean-Louis, the 1999 displays some strong aldehydic characters along with barley sugar, nutmeg and brown butter. It's very full-bodied...

A bold but measured white Hermitage with a long finish, powerful but without excess alcohol or richness, and although oaked, it's not over-oaked. This has...

From 50- to 90-year-old vines in lieux-dits Les Murets (90%) and L'Ermite (10%), this wine spent 30 months in new oak barriques. Built to impress...

Sourced from an 80-year-old parcel from high on the hill, this wine is fermented in tank then aged for six months in 400l barrels. Still...

Marsanne grapes are dried in boxes for two months before pressing and fermenting in barriques. The result is remarkably powerful and kaleidoscopic, with notes of...

A gentle, fresh and floral style of Hermitage Blanc, this is medium-bodied and relatively light on oak influence despite being fermented and aged in oak...

This white Hermitage is from lieu-dit L'Homme, on sandy loess soils. It's vinified in recently used barriques. Already good to go, this is a really...

From lieu-dit La Pierrelle, this wine is whole-bunch pressed, fermented and aged in demi-muid for 18 months. There's a fresh cream note to the nose...

Christelle Betton makes some of the best red Crozes-Hermitage around, but also a little white Hermitage. This is from lieu-dit L'Homme, on sandy loess soils,...

Several passes through the vineyard pick grapes at a minimum of 360g/l residual sugar, which are then dried for nearly two months before pressing. Fermentation...

There's an unusually grassy edge to the citrussy fruit aromas here. In the mouth it's very full-bodied, with orange flower water, cedar and tobacco leaf...

This starts well, with a perfumed floral note and expressive fruit, delicately handled. It's full and textural on the palate, with low acidity and high...

From a blend of plots, the grapes undergo a 24-hour cold maceration before being fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for up to 12 months,...

Julien Pilon has long specialised in (but no longer exclusively makes) Northern Rhône whites. His white Hermitage is 100% Marsanne from lieux-dits Rocoules, Beaume and...

Fermented and aged in oak barrels, this rare 100% Roussanne wine has a savoury, cedary nose. It's very full-bodied and broad but dry, with well...

This rare 100% Roussanne is fermented and aged in oak barrels. There's a strong dairy element to the aromas, like raw cream. In the mouth...

This 100% Marsanne comes from a 2ha plot of 50-year-old vines on alluvial deposits and large stones. 2008 was a fairly average vintage in the...

A blend of three parcels, this wine is fermented in new, one- and two-year-old barrels before spending up to 12 months on the lees with...

Still with a little green hint to the rim, and a little oaky, this needs some more time to harmonise completely. There's a good sense...

This 100% Marsanne is sourced from lieux-dits Rocoules, Beaume and Maison Blanche, vinified in 500l new oak barrels. The 2013 is already taking on a...

This 100% Marsanne, from lieux-dits Rocoules, Beaume and Maison Blanche, is vinified in 500l new oak barrels. This is a little reticent on the nose,...

This 100% Roussanne is taking on some gold hints to the colour now. It has a lactic element to the pear fruit, with slightly unbalanced...