Vintages 2006

Wine Advocate #193 - Feb 2011

Score :  93

The medium gold-colored 2006 Hermitage Ex-Voto Blanc (90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne) exhibits pear and peach marmalade, honeysuckle and exotic Asian spice notes. It is a nearly over-the-top, intense, full-bodied white with an extravagant fruit character that conceals considerable acidity and structure. It will offer a mouthful of viscous, dry white wine over the next 10-15+ years. Drink: 2011 - 2026. Robert Parker.

Wine Spectator - Oct 15, 2009

Score: 95

A touch extreme, as this is very toasty in style, with lots of butter, grilled hazelnut and peach cobbler aromas and flavors. Really powerful, with a broad and muscular palate. Yet there's impressive drive and length, with solid cut thanks to invigorating bitter almond and orange peel notes buried deep. Best after 2016. 625 cases made. James Molesworth.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 09

Score : 93-95

Bright gold. Vibrant mango and mirabelle aromas expand with air, picking up spicy lemon and floral qualities. Broad and deep but focused, with sweet pit fruit and citrus flavors and a strong undercurrent of smoky minerals. The smokiness gains strength on the finish, which is strikingly sappy and long. For a big wine, this is admirably precise, even elegant. "There has to be a marked difference in the cuvees to justify making an Ex-Voto," Guigal told me, "otherwise it all gets blended together for the Hermitage classique. Josh Raynolds.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 10

Score : 94

Deep yellow. Exotically perfumed bouquet of wild, herb-laced tropical and pit fruits, with notes of licorice and dried fig emerging with air; reminds me of an old Chartreuse. Deep, chewy and very rich, with gently sweet apricot, peach and dried pear flavors and notes of botanical herbs. Smoky, surprisingly nervy mineral and floral notes carry through a long, sappy, penetrating finish. I'd serve this powerful wine with a preparation of chicken and mushrooms or truffles. Josh Raynolds.