2013 Hermitage, Les Rocoules, Marc Sorrel
About Producer
This 3.5ha domaine was founded in 1928 by Marc Sorrel’s grandfather Felix. In charge of the family estate since 1984, Marc retired at the end of 2018 after having put the domaine among the elite producers of Northern Rhône with a range of red and white hermitage wines of undeniable elegance and remarkable structure, true renditions of their magnificent terroirs. With son Guillaume now firmly at the helm, the future is bright.
Varietals
Blend of 90% marsanne and 10% roussanne. 1,500 bottles produced.
About Appellation
According to legend, Queen Blanche de Castille granted permission to Knight Gaspard de Sterimberg to settle in the hills overlooking the hamlet of Tain in 1224 when he returned home badly wounded from the Cathar Crusade. He isolated himself as a hermit and started to plant vines there, hence the name of Hermitage for the hill. First mentions of the hill and its vineyard parcels with their current names were in 1389. Though history blurs the line between myth and reality, the quality of Hermitage terroirs is unquestionable. Located in the middle of the slope of the Hermitage hill, Les Rocoules is on clay limestone soil with some pudding stones which makes it an ideal terroir for white grapes. Marc Sorrel's parcel is 0.6ha planted with 50 year-old vines.
Tasting Notes
Perfumed nose of ripe peach, white raisin, pineapple, honey, marzipan and floral scents, full-bodied mouthfeel with remarkable depth, great purity and very fine tension, expressive flavours of apricot, pear, hazelnut and toasted brioche interlaced with faint hints of baking spices, vibrant acidity and subtle mineral undertones carrying through a long, intense finish. This is a racy and powerful, yet perfectly poised wine, with lively freshness and no shortage of complexity. Cloaking it innate drive in effortless finesse, it's rich, fleshy and deliciously wrapped in a creamy texture, without being remotely unctuous. (05/2021)