2008 Hermitage

Marc Sorrel told me that 2008 was one of the most difficult years he can remember. "It seemed like it was raining all the time and we had to work very hard to get rid of anything affected by mildew, which caused our yields to be off by 50% for the white grapes and 60% for the syrah." Sorrel made the decision to bottle only one red Hermitage from this vintage, a choice he has only made two times before, in 2002 and 1993. Fortunately, 2007 is "a very good, classic vintage-not as rich as 2006 or, of course, 2005, but very fresh, vibrant and balanced. The alcohol is on the lower side too, which will make the wines very flexible with food." (JAO Wine Imports, McLean, VA) Other wines tasted: 2008 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, 2007 Crozes-Hermitage.