2013 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc from Chapoutier, Rhone

The 2013 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc from Chapoutier is a velvet curtain, concealing behind its lush texture a symphony of subtle complexity. An anomaly in the fluctuating climates of the Rhone, 2013 was a year that demanded patience on the vine and skill in the winery. Against all odds, it sprang forth this rare masterpiece.

Weathering hurdles, yielding gold

2013 can rightly be termed an 'atypical' vintage. Low temperatures and abundant rains marked the growing season, throwing most producers off their stride. But where others faltered, Chapoutier saw opportunity. The delayed maturation allowed for a fuller development of aromatics while retaining a stunning acid backbone - which lends this wine enduring cellaring potential.

No stranger to adversity, the Marsanne grapes from which Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc is crafted clung tenaciously on their perch atop the granite outcrop in Hermitage. And their reward was the breathtaking intensity found in every bottle.

Celestial subtlety meets terrestrial potency

A harmonious dramatisation of nuances commences with notes of blanched almond and honey blossom on the nose, advancing into an intricate palate layered with lemon verbena, pear compote and hint of ginger spice. All these are beautifully encapsulated within a folds of minerality and balanced acidity.

The feats performed here are emblematic of both vintage conditions and Chapoutier's sure-handed canny viticulture, rendering the 2013 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc an attractive proposition for discerning fine wine investors.

Vintage grace, an enduring testament

The 2013 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc from Chapoutier should be more than a line in your investment spreadsheet; it encapsulates the very essence of winemaking evolution. It is an essay in perseverance, a vineyard's weathered answer to an adverse year, and reflects Chapoutier's steadfast resolve to coax sheer elegance from a challenging vintage. A distinct chapter in the narrative of Rhone wines and an asset in every savvy wine portfolio.