Hermitage

The nose of this fully developed but still richly coloured wine is extremely enticing, the overall feeling is one of soft, very ripe Autumnal fruits – baked plums, damsons with a touch of rich and earthy roasted beetroots. There is even a suggestion of rather old fashioned mature Pauillac fruit, with similarly comforting notes of polished sweet oak. The palate has so many layers to it, it is fascinating – this is not to glug and swill rather to enjoy and savour. There is still tremendous energy to this wine, which now at age 19 is quite unusual, owing to the vibrant acidity which keeps the finish lively and really on its toes.   This is unquestionably for drinking now and over the coming year to 18 months; it is the epitome of well-aged and mature Hermitage which is a perfect match for Pheasant, Boar or any game dish.
Gary Owen, Private Account Manager
Hermitage La Chapelle is named after the small hermit's Chapel built in 1235 on the Hermitage hill, the wine regularly amazes with its incredible array of flavours - fruity and enticing when young but acquiring complex leathery and gamey overtones with age.  This is a wine that is ready to drink and will compliment any Autumnal or Winter fare very well.

A rustic bouquet with dried cranberries and redcurrants, sous bois, tobacco leaf, tanned saddle leather and spice.  A gentle brush of dark red fruit at the front palate, leading to a lifted mineral acidity and finely intertwined tannin.  A charming and gentle style of Hermitage from Jaboulet Aine, with nineteen years already in the bank, this is an elegant “traditional” style of Northern Rhone Syrah to drink now and maybe keep another 1 – 2 years.”
Stuart Rae, Private Account Manager

1996 La Chapelle is a classic example of mature Syrah, garnet in colour with delicate aromas of wild mushroom, stewed fruit and a slight earthiness. The palate is softly textured, with very fine tannins and a high acidity which carries the savoury gamey notes through to the finish. Great for drinking now, as it is expected to arrive in November, I could think of nothing better than enjoying with some roasted game over the festive period. It will hold on for another year, but will not get any better.
Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager

Bernard vinifies his grapes by each individual parcel of vines and describes his final blend in terms of a ‘cosmic union’; something seemingly more complicated and intangible than mere biodynamism. Grapes from the Bessards commune lend support and acidity whilst those from the Greffieux commune provide a winning purity of fruit. The 2012 has notes of cassis and black cherry with a gently smoky backdrop.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer 

Bernard Faurie is a fairly conservative vigneron. In all probability he has done the same thing for the last fifty years, and watched with wry amusement as his more adventurous neighbours have experimented and invested, only, eventually, to return to their starting place. And not necessarily to know the place for the first time. M Faurie is Emmanuel Darnaud’s father –in-law, and has, I suspect, guided the young enquiring mind with subtle  skill. Owning some of the best plots in Hermitage has certainly helped his cause.

Rhône 2009 - Berrys Recommends
This fully biodynamic domaine, continues to impress under the care of dynamic vigernon Michel Chapoutier. A nose of dense, sweet fruit proceeds a real freshness on the palate. Power coupled with elegance, full bodied with lovely purity, fine tannin and a long finish.
(Martyn Rolph, BBR Fine Wine) Originating in the vineyards of Méal, Bessards and Greffieux, Sizeranne holds its head up high in the extended Chapoutier catalogue because it is made in a different style, for relatively early drinking; its silky tannins diligently woven together, with a spicy, rich and fine tannic weave.
(Simon Field MW BBR Buyer)

A broad, generous and expressive wine, its 30% of Roussanne adding pear skin aromatics to the more traditional Marsanne citrus and lanolin descriptors. The palate is dense, exotic and very generous and long, as indeed it should be given the provenance of the fruit, farmed on fine plots in Les Rocoules and La Maison Blanche.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

The alliance of two of the greatest houses of the Rhône, Jaboulet and Perrin, with Nicholas Jaboulet at its helm, was always a very promising one. The promise has quickly materialised and the 2010s are even better than the already excellent 2009s. The best sites and the best growers have been harnessed. As Nicolas eloquently puts it, the Perrins at Beaucastel exploit many different grapes on fundamentally the same terroir, but his goal here is to cultivate what is essential the same grape (albeit dependent on the colour of the wine) but in differing terroirs.

South-east facing alluvial soils often make L’Orée the most steely and linear of the whites; the 2012 demonstrates this with gusto, its notes of thyme on the nose and fennel on the palate underlining once more the boundless complexity of this sometimes misunderstood varietal.Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer 

Surely the most lauded vinous portfolio in the Rhône, the Parcellaires make up a definitive statement of terroir, the majority of which is located in the tiny appellation of Hermitage. Volumes are appropriately modest.

Rhône 2009 - Berrys Recommends
Classic and powerful, Le Méal is Ferraton’s flagship red, its 50 year-old vines located on the south-facing slopes of this famous vineyard. The 2009 does not disappoint with its full structure finely corseted after 18 months in 50% new oak barriques. Layered and textured, this is a keeper from the first rank.
(Simon Field MW BBR Buyer) The mid slope vineyard of Le Meal has a warm aspect on granite with limestone, white clay and large pebbles giving a fragrant and powerful wine. In the glass the wine is absolutely opaque in colour. The opulent dark fruit and sweet kirch notes are balanced by a mouthcoating tannic structure that will reward those who have the patience to age this wine.
(Sara Guiducci, BBR Fine Wine)

Our 2012 Rhône Vintage Recommendation: Favourite Northern Rhône Red
Ermitage Le Méal is packed full of obvious class, maintaining a real sense of elegance and restraint despite having an awful lot going on the glass. A touch of smoke on the nose mingles with gently roasted notes of blackcurrant, dry herbs and tobacco.
Guy Davies, Wine Team

Le Méal is Ferraton’s top wine, a symphonic Syrah from the famous eponymous south-facing lieu-dit. The crop is entirely de-stemmed, macerated for four weeks and then matured for eighteen months in barrique (50% new). Intense and bright on the eye, the wine falters to deceive, such is the power and depth of flavour in the mouth. Lapidary tannins and an endless finish (if you will pardon the oxymoron) complete the tableau.
Simon Field MW, Rhône Wine Buyer

Ferreton’s renaissance continues apace; Chapoutier ownership has in no way dulled its distinctive voice and in Damien Brissett it has a world-class winemaker. With such prestigious vineyards on the hill of Hermitage (and elsewhere) Ferraton is careful to manage the distinction between its owned vines and those worked in partnership as a high-class négoçiant.  Whilst we are drawn, somewhat inevitably, towards the former, as our selection confirms, there is no denying the excellent quality of the entire range.

From the Beaumes, Dionnieres and Prélat communes, a powerful saturnine wine, brooding and muscular, bristling with potential. To cellar patiently then open with powerful game.
Simon Field M.W. - Rhône Buyer

The only problem with this wine is that there is 20% less made than last year. An archetype of Hermitage and a wonderful demonstration of the enduring fascination with and popularity of the appellation. This is a blend from three plantations in Les Bessards, Le Méal and Le Greffieux. The wine is silky and harmonious with an almost Burgundian depth of texture.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

Mark Sorrel is a thoughtful and talented vigneron, initially quite reserved, like his wines, but who needs to say much when one owns some of the finest holdings on the hill of Hermitage? . Despite having one foot firmly planted in the traditionalist camp, when it comes to such things as destemming and ageing, he invariably manages to produce wines of great elegance and poise. He compares 2010 with 1978 and 1961. And who needs to say more than that?

From vines of over 50 years of age, the Rocoules Blanc is made up of 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, vinified traditionally and aged patiently for 18 months in old wood. The 2010 has attractive aromas that are chalky going on floral, citric going on honied...complex in other words. From the deep colour to the long finish, one cannot fail but to be impressed by the profundity here. As with all great white Hermitage it will go to sleep in a couple of years and re-emerge, resplendent, four or five years later...
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer, February 2012

Mark Sorrel is a thoughtful and talented vigneron, initially quite reserved, like his wines, but who needs to say much when one owns some of the finest holdings on the hill of Hermitage? . Despite having one foot firmly planted in the traditionalist camp, when it comes to such things as destemming and ageing, he invariably manages to produce wines of great elegance and poise. He compares 2010 with 1978 and 1961. And who needs to say more than that?

From vines located in the parcel of Les Murets, situated to the east of the appellation, this is 90-year-old Marsanne at its flinty, feisty best, the tropical fruit at its core tempered by a chalky seam of austerity that will ensure a happy outcome for the happy few.
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

These wines sit at the very pinnacle of perfection; year in year out they are applauded as the best in the Rhône Valley. They therefore need no further introductory superlatives from me, merely the tedious reminder that they are very scarce and, needless to say, very much in demand. We only have small volumes of the wines featured below, so I would encourage you to place any orders for these as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Well-named for several different reasons (although not to describe the personality of its progenitor) l’Ermite Blanc is somewhat austere and inscrutable in youth. Like a great dry Savannières or a fine Montrachet, or, say, a novel by George Eliot, it requires patience and effort. Last time I tasted this it caught me on an off day and I couldn’t quite understand it; the time before that it seemed to be a paradigm of perfection…
Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer

These wines sit at the very pinnacle of perfection; year in year out they are applauded as the best in the Rhône Valley. They therefore need no further introductory superlatives from me, merely the tedious reminder that they are very scarce and, needless to say, very much in demand. We only have small volumes of the wines featured below, so I would encourage you to place any orders for these as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.