2016 Hermitage Ex Voto

The 2016 Ermitage Ex Voto might or might not be bottled according to the Guigal family, yet it certainly deserves it in my opinion. Classic Hermitage with its crème de cassis, crushed rocks, campfire, incense, and floral notes, it doesn’t have the sheer density of the 2015 yet has impeccable balance, awesome purity of fruit, and silky, silky tannins. It’s a beautiful wine that will be approachable with 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for 2-3 decades. The big news at the Guigal estate is the purchase of Domaine de Nalys in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The family has always wanted an estate in the South, and Nalys is an unrealized treasure trove of awesome terroir and old vines, both of which I’ve no doubt will be maximized by this talented family. In addition, the former winemaker at Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Jacques Desvernois, has joined the team, and while it’s not clear exactly what his role will be, I suspect he will largely lead the charge at Domaine de Nalys. Either way, Desvernois is an incredible talent and can only add to what is already a well-oiled machine. As to the wines reviewed in this report, I was able to taste multiple vintages of each of the cuvées and have listed the wines by cuvée as opposed to by vintage, which is how we tasted through the wines.