Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage Blanc - 2013
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.
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).
There was a huge amount of rainfall during the winter of 2013. This allowed to fill up the water tables.
The temperatures were very unusually hot in April but then dropped considerably in May (an average of 9 to 10 C less than usual). On top of the cooler climate, the precipitations were very significant at the end of May, which delayed the flowering of the vines.
The nice weather came back in June. Despite a temperamental spring and the vegetation being a little delayed, the new shoots look healthy and promising.
The summer was twofold: In July, the weather alternated between dry and sunny spells and storms (including a bit of impact with hale). August was a hotter and drier month of.
The accumulated delay was noticed at the time of harvest as we started around September 25th. The maturities were very consistent depending on the appellation, the terroir, the altitude.
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.
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.
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.
Drink young as an aperitif with prawns
marsanne blanche : 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.
Michael Franz
Wine review Online
, 91/100
, 2013-11-26
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.
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Advocate
, 89/100
, 2013-12-16
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
Josh Raynolds
International wine cellar
, 90/100
, 2014-03-12
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
, 91
, 2014-01-22