M. Chapoutier, Hermitage, l'Ermite Blanc 2015
6x75cl £ 1,500 1 case available In Bond

Vivid yellow-gold. Penetrating aromas of ripe citrus and orchard fruits, jasmine and iodine are joined by hints of chalky minerals, fennel and toasty lees. Juicy and deeply concentrated on the palate, offering powerful pear nectar, Meyer lemon and peach liqueur flavors that show superb focus and minerally drive. The lees and floral notes come back strong on the incisive finish, which hangs on with outstanding focus and persistence.

One of the most singular wines I'm able to taste each year is unquestionably the l'Ermite Blanc from Chapoutier and it certainly lives up to the billing in 2015. Offering what I can only describe as a liquid rock (a liqueur of rocks?) character intermixed with notes of buttered citrus, pineapple, smoked meats, charcoal and toast, the 2015 Ermitage l'Ermite is full-bodied, decadent and locked and loaded on the palate. It needs 2-3 years of cellaring and I suspect will keep for half a century