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Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $1251.38
The best of the lineup in 2016 is unquestionably the 2016 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc, which is all Marsanne from the...
JD
100
WA
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $566.45
The best of the lineup in 2016 is unquestionably the 2016 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc, which is all Marsanne from the...
JD
100
WA
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $637.66
As in 2016, my favorite of the white parcel selections this year is the 2017 Ermitage l'Ermite Blanc (231 cases...
WA
100
DC
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $471.18
Another truly flawless wine from this dream team is the 2018 Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc, which comes from a vineyard...
WA
100
JD
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $400.96
Another perfect wine in the lineup is the 2020 Ermitage L'Ermite Blanc, and white wine simply doesn’t get any...
JD
100
WA
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $413.40
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $184.95
Perhaps the most surprising thing is how spectacular the 2002 whites are from Michel Chapoutier. Because of space...
WA
94
VM
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $232.29
Superdense, with lots of bass showing now--anise, fennel seed, cardamom, glazed pear and fig--but there's still...
WS
97
WA
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $246.12
Just as good as the de l’Orée, but in a very different style, the medium gold-hued 2006 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc...
WA
99
JD
99
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $201.07
I was shocked by the 2007 Ermitage le Meal Blanc and from a vintage that yielded mostly forward, supple and...
WA
99
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $673.26
From a warm site and a hot vintage, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal Blanc was harvested on the August 28, and aged in 100%...
WA
99
WS
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $221.95
From a warm site and a hot vintage, the 2009 Ermitage le Meal Blanc was harvested on the August 28, and aged in 100%...
WA
99
WS
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $238.95
Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more...
WA
99
VM
94
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $202.78
Slightly more reserved now than on release, the 2012 Ermitage le Meal Blanc offers tons of honeyed minerality,...
WA
97
WS
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $218.38
Similar in style to the hedonistically-styled Cuvee de l’Orée (especially when compared to the structured,...
WA
97
WS
95
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $269.90
Another perfect wine is the 2015 Ermitage le Meal Blanc. The most decadent, unctuous and layered in the lineup, with...
WA
100
WS
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $163.62
Similarly colored, the 2016 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc comes from a warmer terroir of pebbly and more loess soils and...
JD
97
DC
96
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $228.95
The 2017 Ermitage le Meal Blanc starts with refined notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings that move into a...
WA
98
WS
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $202.78
97-99 Is le Méal the most complex and complete lieu-dit on Hermitage, when considering both red and white wines? The...
WA
99
JD
98
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
White
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $180.86
I was blown away by the 2020 Ermitage Le Méal Blanc, which is certainly the finest vintage of this cuvée I’ve...
JD
100
JS
98

Lambrusco Marsanne Mencia Welschriesling

Some grape species are distinct and unique varietals, clearly separate from each of their cousins. Others, like Lambrusco and Muscat, are more like umbrella terms, featuring several subspecies which show slight differences from each other from region to region. Indeed, there are astonishingly more than 60 identified varieties of Lambrusco vines, and they are almost all used in the production of characterful Italian sparkling wines. They are distinguishable by their deep ruby blush, caused by strong pigments present in their skins, and their intensely perfumed character.


Lambrusco vines are grown in several Italian regions, although we most closely associate this varietal with Piedmont and Basilicata. It has also been grown successfully in Argentina and Australia. The varietal suffered from a fairly lowly reputation in the late 20th century, due to bulk, low cost production of Lambrusco sparkling wines, aimed at markets across northern Europe and America. However, things are rapidly changing, and the older, more traditional methods of bottle fermentation are returning, along with a higher level of quality and expression, as consumers become more discerning and demanding. Many of the Lambrusco sub-varieties have their own established DOC, such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Modena, where new regulations are keeping standards high and methods traditional.