2020 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc

The 2020 E. Guigal Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc is one of the Rhône Valley’s benchmark white Hermitages, produced only in vintages that Guigal considers truly exceptional. Sourced from some of the most coveted parcels on the Hermitage hillside, it delivers a rare combination of power, finesse, and age‑worthy structure. This cuvée represents the fulfillment of Marcel Guigal’s long-held dream to craft a grand white Hermitage that stands among the finest whites of France.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Ex-Voto Blanc shows a deep golden hue with luminous intensity, hinting at both concentration and extended élevage. The nose is intricate and layered: aromas of roasted grains, grilled pineapple, ripe pear, and stone fruit mingle with notes of honeycomb, toasted hazelnut, vanilla pod, and a whisper of smoke. Subtle floral hints of acacia and chamomile emerge with air, along with a touch of beeswax and wet stone. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, rich and enveloping yet beautifully balanced by a core of vibrant, saline minerality. The texture is expansive and creamy, with flavors of baked apple, pineapple, yellow plum, and ripe pear interwoven with brioche, almond cream, and spice from the long maturation in new oak. The finish is exceptionally long, structured, and persistent, with a gentle phenolic grip that promises outstanding development in bottle. While already generous and complex in its youth, this 2020 Ex-Voto Blanc has excellent aging potential and will continue to evolve gracefully for 10–20 years or more, gaining deeper honeyed, nutty, and truffled nuances over time.

Production
The 2020 Ermitage Ex-Voto Blanc comes from four extraordinary parcels on the famed Hermitage hill in the northern Rhône, a granitic and varied terroir that yields some of the most revered wines in France. The vineyards, primarily planted with old vines of Marsanne (90%) and a small proportion of Roussanne (10%), draw on poor, rocky soils and steep, sun-drenched slopes that naturally limit yields and concentrate flavor. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve both richness and freshness. After gentle pressing, the must undergoes alcoholic fermentation and skin maceration for around four weeks in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to enhance texture and aromatics. The wine is then aged for an exceptional 40 months in new oak barrels—a signature of Guigal’s top cuvées—allowing it to slowly integrate its oak influence, build complexity, and develop its distinctive depth and structure.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic white built for the table, pairing beautifully with rich, flavorful dishes. Think roasted lobster or langoustines with butter and herbs, seared scallops, turbot or monkfish in cream or beurre blanc, Bresse chicken with morels, veal in a creamy mushroom sauce, or truffle-infused dishes. It also shines alongside aged hard cheeses and rich, nutty cow’s milk cheeses. Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to allow the full aromatic spectrum to unfold. Decanting for 30–60 minutes before serving is recommended, especially in its youth, to help the wine open up and reveal its layered complexity.

Producer
Maison E. Guigal, founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal in Ampuis, has become one of the most prestigious names in the Rhône Valley and a global reference for the region’s wines. Under the stewardship of Marcel and now Philippe Guigal, the estate has expanded its footprint across the Rhône, acquiring top sites—including the Vallouit and JL Grippat properties in 2000, which granted access to prime Hermitage parcels and made Ex-Voto possible. Guigal’s meticulous vineyard work, rigorous selection, and signature long aging in their own coopered barrels have helped redefine the qualitative potential of northern Rhône wines. With iconic bottlings from Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage, Guigal is widely regarded as a standard-bearer for the region, consistently earning critical acclaim and playing a central role in elevating the global reputation of Rhône wines.

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