Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage Blanc - 2012
Description
There is a difference of Terroir between the vines planted North of Tain l’Hermitage, on the slopes of Gervans and those located in the villages further south.
Terroir
Our wine is made from Marsanne grapes from vines with an average age of 20 years.
The grapes come from different terroirs. In the north, granite slopes from “Les Pends” (with limestone on the surface) and in the South, stony soils on the locality of Chanos Curson. We aim to keep the finesse and minerality (vines from Les Pends) and at the same time, length and body (vines from Chanos Curson).
The vintage
After a very dry winter and beginning of spring, Mai and June were rainy and sunny at the time, which was beneficial to the vine. On the edge of summer, we were in advance but an intense heat wave blocked the maturities. These conditions needed an exceptional effort in the vines to prevent illnesses and to get the grapes into a very satisfying sanitary state. The harvest started in middle of September. We noticed differences in the maturities depending on the areas, which led to continuing the picking until the first days of October. The yields were also quite different depending on the appellation and parcels.
Location
Crozes-Hermitage is the biggest appellation of the Northern Rhône with over 1300 hectares. It spreads over 11 localities in the Drôme on the left bank of the Rhône River.
The village of Mecurol and Chanos Curson are renowned for the production of Crozes-Hermitage Blanc.
Process
The bunches are pressed and the juices left to settle.
Fermentations take place in the barrels (2 and 3 years old) at a low temperature.
Ageing on the lees in the barrels to feed the wine and give it body during 5-6 months.
Varietal
marsanne blanche : 100%
Tasting
The wine is full of freshness. It gives citrus and apples aromas, its wood four month aging gave him its roundness.
This wine has to be drunk during its youth, for the "apéritif", with fish and even with poultry.
Serving
Drink young as an aperitif with prawns
Reviews
91/100
"Made entirely from Marsanne, this is a big, rich wine with just enough acidity to stay in balance and allow its striking notes of roasted nuts, figs, and freshly mown hay to shine. Very expressive in both aroma and flavor, this is a show-stopper."
Wine review Online, Michael Franz - 2013
89/100
"Starting out and a beautiful white, the 2012 Croze
Hermitage Blanc offers up clean, classy notes of
white peach, honey blossom, big minerality and hints
of nuttiness to go with a medium-bodied, fresh and
lively profile on the palate. Perfumed, with good
complexity and vibrant acidity, it’s a borderline
outstanding white to drink over the coming 2-4 years."
Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck - 2013
90/100
"Light yellow-gold. Anise, pear skin and melon on the fragrant nose. Fleshy but dry and focused, with a chewy texture to the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors sharpened by a bitter lemon pith nuance. Shows a spicy quality on the clinging, juicy finish"
International wine cellar, Josh Raynolds - 2014
91
"Traditionally blended with other white wine grapes in the Northern Rhône region from whence it comes, Marsanne is the solo performer in Perrin’s lovely, luscious wine. With its rich gold hue, relatively low acidity, decidely nutty aromas and flavors, plus a satiny, almost waxy, mouth feel, it provides a welcome exception to the usual humdrum white wine experience."
Wine Review Online - 2014