2005 E.Guigal Ermitage Rouge Ex-Voto

2005 E.Guigal Ermitage Rouge Ex-Voto

2005 E.Guigal Ermitage Rouge Ex-Voto

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (100/100)
The 2005 Hermitage Ex-Voto, which will spend 42 months in 100% new oak, possesses a blue/black color as well as a gorgeous perfume of black fruits, and a full-scale attack with huge glycerin, density, extraction, and tannin. This muscular blockbuster will benefit from 8-10 years of cellaring, and should keep for 50 years. 96-100

Wine Spectator (96/100)
Rather sleek, with fresh, very rounded plum, cherry and blackberry fruit held together by notes of black tea, sweet earth and hoisin sauce. The texture is polished and the finish very long, with echoes of mocha flittering throughout. There’s plenty of grip in reserve, and this should blossom in the cellar. Far more refined than the 2003, though not quite as dynamic. Best from 2010 through 2025. 667 cases made.

One of the smallest and most important Syrah regions of northern Rhone, Hermitage is practically one single south-facing slope of crushed granite, thinly covered with varied, yet well-charted soil types. Many climates (well identified parcels) exist within Hermitage and while some smaller producers make single climate Syrahs, some larger ones blend to make one balanced expression of the appellation.
Though the AC regulations allow the addition of up to 15% white grapes to a red Hermitage, in practice it is usually made from Syrah alone. Winemaking is pretty traditional?or you might say historic?with hot fermentations and aging in older barrels of various sizes. The best wines, characterized by deep, dense and sexy flavors of black fruit, cocoa, licorice and tobacco, have massive textures and a solid 10-20 years aging potential.