Northern Rhone: Hermitage AC

This is a highly-regarded, continuous strip of vineyards on steep south facing slopes.  Superior quality sites have been singled out as “lieux-dits” and many Hermitage wines are blends from these sites, sometimes the “lieux-dits” will even be mentioned on the label.

These wines tend to be the most full-bodied of the Northern Rhone wines and can thrive for many decades in bottle. Historically, white Marsanne and Roussane grapes were fermented with Syrah. While it is now not so common a practice, in contemporary times there are some very good white wines made from these same varietals.