Country: France  Region: Northern Rhône  Vintage: 2015

Category: White Wine  Color:  White

Producer: Maison Nicolas Perrin

"Maison Nicolas Perrin brings together the scions of two of the great families of the Rhône, Nicolas Jaboulet, formerly of the eponymous winery in Tain, and the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel. This joint venture micro-négociant was created in 2009 with the sole aim of producing top quality Northern Rhône wines. Nicolas is able to source the best fruit and wines from growers and producers that he has formed a long standing relationship with, while the Perrin family bring expertise in winemaking and blending, as well as the use of their cellars.

The partnership stems from a long standing friendship, a shared love of gastronomy and a philosophy to create wines that represent the best of their appellation. We were impressed by the precision of the wines which, allied with their modern style and the emphasis on fruit.

The Crozes Hermitage Blanc is made solely from Marsanne. It is fresh with hints of honeysuckle and dried herbs and an appealing weight and complexity derived from the 10 months it spends in used barrels. The Syrah/Viognier is made with 98% Syrah with 2% Viognier to add finesse and softness. The Crozes Hermitage Rouge is fragrant and juicy with hints of black pepper, fine tannins and balanced acidity. Grapes for the Saint-Joseph are from the north of the appellation and also from the historical centre. The former give minerality and fruitiness, while the latter provide more flesh and body.

The Côte Rôtie is round and velvety while still possessing the heady perfume of violets. The Hermitage Blanc is a blend of 70% Marsanne and 30% Roussanne, fermented separately then aged in new French oak for 10 months. This adds complexity and richness to the honeyed and ripe stone fruit aromas, while the quality of the fruit ensures an incredibly long finish. The Ermitage Red comes from a vineyard right above 'La Chapelle'. Nicolas Perrin only makes a few barrels of this wine each year. While more structured than the Côte Rôtie, it is restrained with aromas of red and black fruits, racy acidity and fine firm tannins that will soften with time. Like all of the Nicolas Perrin wines, this Ermitage is surprisingly approachable, yet we can also see the rewards of patience if this wine is left to develop, which it will do so beautifully."

Winemaker: Marc Perrin & Nicolas Jaboulet

Vineyards:

Crozes Hermitage is the biggest appellation of the Northern Rhône with over 1,300 hectares. It spreads over 11 lieux-dits in the Drôme on the left bank of the Rhône River. The villages of Mecurol and Chanos Curson are renowned for the production of Crozes Hermitage Blanc. The grapes come from different sites: granite slopes in the north from "Les Pends" (with limestone on the surface) and stony soils in the south in Chanos Curson. Winemaker Nicolas Jaboulet said, "We aim to keep the finesse and minerality with the vines from Les Pends and at the same time, length and body thanks to the vines from Chanos Curson."

Vinification:

The bunches were pressed and the juices left to settle. Fermentation took place at a low temperature in two and three year-old oak barrels. The wine was aged on the lees in old barrels for five months and then in stainless steel tanks for a few more months, to add body and complexity.

Tasting Notes:

The wine is full of freshness and exudes citrus and apple aromas. The palate has a lovely roundness, with a subtle toasty character and apricot kernel on the finish.

Food Suggestion: Drink young as an aperitif with prawns, or serve with light fish and poultry dishes.

Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:13.5%  Acidity [g/l]: 4.1