2018 Hermitage Blanc Ex Voto
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Tasting notes
Absolute perfection in dry white wine, the 2018 Hermitage Ex Voto Blanc comes from two parcels on Hermitage (Les Murets and L'Ermite) and, I believe, spent 30 months or more in new French oak. This heavenly effort offers an off-the-charts array of quince and stone fruits as well as subtle brioche, white flowers, spice, and orange blossom-like nuances, with just a hint of its classy background oak present. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it's massive, concentrated, and powerful, yet seamless and flawlessly balanced, with no hard edges, perfect integration of its acidity and oak, and a great, great finish. Dry white wine doesn't get any better.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
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The last time I saw the 2018 Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc, it came across as opulent and fruit-forward. Now that it's in bottle (and scheduled to be released in February 2022), it's less tropical, showing more restraint and (perhaps) greater aging potential. Hints of toasted grain, lime custard and scorched lemon zest appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is rich, delivering notes of toasted marshmallow and a heavily textured, slightly coarse texture, but finishes long.