Hermitage

The wine

Monumental is the word for Hermitage. Planted on a granite hill overlooking the left bank of the Rhône, facing Tain-l'Hermitage, this cru produces one of France's great age-worthy wines. Reds are 100% syrah of rare density and length, showing dark fruit, pepper, leather and incense. Whites, blending marsanne (dominant) and roussanne, combine power and finesse with acacia, honey and stone fruit. Both evolve twenty to fifty years in cellar. A great Hermitage calls for noble dishes: feathered game, slow-braised meats, truffle.