Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc 2015

Guigal’s Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc 2015 is a powerful, ageworthy white Hermitage that captures the full grandeur of the Rhône’s most legendary hill. Produced only in top vintages and in very limited quantities, it stands as one of the benchmark white wines of the northern Rhône. This 2015 release is already compelling in the glass, yet built with the structure and depth to evolve beautifully for decades.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2015 Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc shows a deep golden straw color, already hinting at its concentration and richness. The nose is complex and layered, opening with roasted, nutty aromas of toasted almonds and hazelnuts, followed by ripe melon, juicy pear, and hints of stone fruit. Subtle touches of honey, white flowers, and a whisper of spice add further dimension as the wine unfolds in the glass. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, textural white with impressive weight and presence. The ripe melon and pear fruit is wrapped in a creamy, almost waxy texture, balanced by a well-integrated, mineral-driven freshness. Roasted nut and subtle oak notes add depth without overwhelming the fruit, while a gentle spiciness carries through to a long, resonant finish. While already approachable and enjoyable now, the wine is clearly structured for the long haul and has outstanding aging potential—15 years or more in a good cellar, where it will gain even greater complexity, truffle, honeyed nuances, and tertiary depth.

Production
Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc comes from select parcels on the famed Hermitage hill in the northern Rhône, where steep granitic and stony slopes, with patches of clay and alluvial deposits, deliver both power and minerality to the wine. The primary grape is Marsanne, with a smaller proportion of Roussanne, sourced from old vines with naturally low yields. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure pristine fruit selection, often in multiple passes to capture optimal ripeness. In the cellar, Guigal vinifies this cuvée with great care, employing slow, temperature-controlled fermentations and extended lees aging to build texture and complexity. The wine is matured in oak (including new barrels) for an extended period, integrating the wood and contributing the roasted, nutty character while preserving the wine’s structure and vibrant core.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic white built for the table and rich, flavorful cuisine. It pairs beautifully with roasted poultry (especially guinea fowl or chicken with morel cream sauce), veal, lobster, scallops, and other butter-poached or cream-based seafood dishes. It also shines alongside aged hard cheeses and richer semi-hard varieties, where its nutty, honeyed character comes to the fore—perfect as it moves into mid to late maturity. Serve at around 10–12°C (50–54°F) for optimal expression; slightly cooler if young, allowing it to warm in the glass. Decanting for 30–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to open the aromatics and soften the structure; older bottles should be handled gently and decanted briefly, mainly to remove sediment.

Producer
Founded in 1946 by Étienne Guigal, the Guigal estate has become one of the most influential and respected producers in the Rhône Valley, now led by his son and grandson, Marcel and Philippe Guigal. Based in Ampuis in the northern Rhône, Guigal is renowned for elevating the region’s reputation worldwide through meticulous vineyard work and uncompromising quality standards, from everyday appellations to the most coveted single-vineyard bottlings. The Ex Voto range, produced only in exceptional vintages, represents Guigal’s pinnacle expressions of Hermitage, both red and white. Over the decades, Guigal has garnered countless high ratings and international acclaim, securing its place as a reference-point producer for serious Rhône wine collectors and enthusiasts alike.

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