On Sale Now!
Completing our tour of the Northern Rhone, we have saved the Greatest for last: Hermitage. This small appellation, sometimes called Ermitage, is responsible for some of France’s most prestigious wines. The reds are typically 100% Syrah, while the whites from the region are typically Marsanne. Both are rich and robust, full-bodied wines that can age for decades.
The Hermitage is a granite hill with shallow soils of limestone or sandy gravel. Vines are grown along the southern slope facing the Rhone River where they can soak up the sun during the long summer days. At the top of the slope is a chapel, which gives its name to Jaboulet’s top vineyard, La Chapelle. The vineyard of Les Bessards lies on the western side of the hill, the source of one of Delas Freres’ top bottlings.
On offer, we have cellared whites from Chapoutier and a selection of reds including those from Chapoutier, Delas Freres, and Jaboulet. These are three of the top producers on the hill with outstanding reputations. Though these wines don’t begin to approach the prices of First Growth Bordeaux, they can hold their own in the cellar and your glass. So, browse our holdings below and stock up while the three-day sale is on.
The Hermitage is a granite hill with shallow soils of limestone or sandy gravel. Vines are grown along the southern slope facing the Rhone River where they can soak up the sun during the long summer days. At the top of the slope is a chapel, which gives its name to Jaboulet’s top vineyard, La Chapelle. The vineyard of Les Bessards lies on the western side of the hill, the source of one of Delas Freres’ top bottlings.
On offer, we have cellared whites from Chapoutier and a selection of reds including those from Chapoutier, Delas Freres, and Jaboulet. These are three of the top producers on the hill with outstanding reputations. Though these wines don’t begin to approach the prices of First Growth Bordeaux, they can hold their own in the cellar and your glass. So, browse our holdings below and stock up while the three-day sale is on.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Hermitage
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Hermitage
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Sale ends Saturday, March 30th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Hermitage
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, March 30th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer 17 wines from Hermitage on sale now, including:
M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l’Oree Blanc 1997 750ml Displayed Price: $349, that’s $331.55 at 5% off and $314.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “It is no secret that I adore Chapoutier’s luxury cuvee of white Hermitage called Cuvee L’Oree. Made from 90-year old vines and microscopic yields of 10-12 hectoliters per hectare, this wine flirts with perfection. It is a compelling white Hermitage. Made from 100% Marsanne, it is as rich and multidimensional as the fullest, most massive Montrachet money can buy. It is unctuously textured, yet extraordinarily and beautifully balanced. I suspect it will drink well early in life, and then shut down for a few years. It should last for 4-5 decades. It is a huge, chewy, multidimensional wine with spectacular concentration and richness. Notes of white flowers, honey, minerals, and peaches are present in astronomical quantities. In short, this wine must be tasted to be believed.”
M. Chapoutier Ermitage de l’Oree Blanc 1999 750ml Displayed Price: $349, that’s $331.55 at 5% off and $314.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 99 points “The awesome 1999 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree flirts with perfection. It is full-bodied, with an incredible bouquet of liquid minerals, licorice, honeysuckle, citrus, and a hint of tropical fruits. One-hundred percent new oak aging has been completely absorbed by the wine’s fruit and glycerin. This is a winemaking tour de force, made from exceedingly low yields of 12-15 hectoliters per hectare (less than one ton of fruit per acre). However, readers should understand that these are often unusual wines to drink because they tend to show exceptionally well for 4-5 years after bottling, then close up until about age 12. They can last for 4-5 decades. Anticipated maturity: now-2006; 2012-2050. Along with Gerard and Jean-Louis Chave, Chapoutier is producing the finest expressions of white Hermitage. His single vineyard cuvees are to die for if you like these eccentric, idiosyncratic, mammoth dry whites.”
M. Chapoutier Ermitage L’Ermite Blanc 2004 750ml Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 100 points “A compelling, profoundly great wine is the 2004 Ermitage l’Ermite blanc. This is extremely limited in availability, but the light gold color offers up a liqueur of pears, wet rocks, and honey. Citrus oil, viscosity, extraordinary richness, and acidity make this wine (like all of these Ermitages, made from 100% old-vine Marsanne) just exquisite. There is nothing like these wines anywhere in the world, and the fact that the single vineyard Ermitages are aged in 100% new oak, yet show no trace of oak whatsoever is mind-boggling. This is exquisite wine that you either drink in its first 3-4 years or forget for two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite Rouge 2010 750ml Displayed Price: $479, that’s $455.05 at 5% off and $431.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 99+ points “One of the stars of the retrospective was the 2010 Ermitage le Meal. This classic vintage yielded concentrated, fresh and structured wines and the 2010 has all of these traits in spades. Giving up a massive array of liquid rock, graphite, spring flowers, cassis and black raspberries, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a tight, structured, tannic mouthfeel and bright acidity, all while still showing incredible polish and elegance. It will certainly flirt with perfection at maturity, but is all about minerality and structure at the moment. Give this incredible effort 3-5 years of cellaring and enjoy it over the following 2-3 decades.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95+ points “Glass-staining purple. Powerful, room-filling aromas of dark fruit liqueur, sandalwood, mocha, licorice and potpourri. Stains the palate with weighty dark berry and bitter cherry flavors, a sappy floral pastille nuance adding an exotic touch. Silky tannins come up with air and build through a remarkably long, chewy, smoke- and spice-accented finish. This wine has gained structure and power since last year and really should be stashed away and forgotten for a good long while.”
M. Chapoutier Ermitage l’Ermite Rouge 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “Sleek, with mouthwatering flavors of red currant, raspberry and cherry preserves forming the core, while a dusting of cocoa, a snap of red licorice and a long, lingering iron spine complete the picture. Very pure and focused. The minerality wins out in the end. Best from 2019 through 2032. 29 cases imported. — JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Bright purple. An impressively complex, expressive nose displays intense aromas of fresh dark berries, cherry cola, incense, allspice and smoky minerals. Spicy, deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors show superb focus and energy, and a suave floral pastille quality emerges as the wine opens up. Shows a compelling blend of richness and vivacity, finishing with superb lift, harmonious tannins and outstanding persistence.”
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 96+ points “More backwards, tight and structured than either the Méal or the Pavillon, the 2013 Ermitage l’Ermite was similarly completely destemmed and raised in a scant 30% new French oak. Inky purple/blue colored, it reluctantly yields incredibly mineral-laced notes of charcoal, liquid rock, cassis, black currants and graphite. While it’s less approachable than either of the two other Hermitages, it has fabulous density and depth, ripe tannin and incredible persistence on the finish. Hide these in the cellar for a decade, and enjoy over the following three to four decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Delas Frères owns 24 acres on the Hermitage hill, including some small parcels of marsanne planted in 1912 and 1918. Since 2013, Jacques Grange has been converting the farming here and in the domaine’s other vineyards to organic, a move he says he’s found to increase the energy in the wines. The performance of the wines we tasted for this issue gives credence to his impression, with this wine a standout example. The vintage was a difficult one, replete with heat waves, hail storms and drought, and yet the wine feels radiant. Fermented with ambient yeasts, it opens gradually, the initial wood tones fading as the wine grows golden and opulent in flavor. Honeysuckle scents and lemony acidity play around the juicy Cavaillon melon flavors, adding delicacy to the wine, while bitter-almond and mineral notes add a deep savor. It’s glorious now, but deserving of another decade in the cellar to harmonize.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, fresh, bright and pure, with a racy-edged mix of plum sauce, cherry preserves and blackberry paste flavors underscored with mouthwatering anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco notes. The long finish flows nicely, and this flirts with approachable already, but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2034. 2,083 cases made, 175 cases imported. — JM”
Decanter 93 points “Good sense of freshness and intensity with fine tannins and rather high alcohol. Good impact however, and a long finish. Tannins are very fine, and although it doesn’t have the potential complexity of some in this vintage, it has the stature and concentration you would expect. Drinking Window 2025 – 2032.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $449, that’s $426.55 at 5% off and $404.10 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is loaded with dark and winey plum sauce, blackberry paste and fig compote flavors that glide through over notes of warm earth, sweet tobacco and anise. A subtle singed alder hint infuses the finish, along with a flicker of violet, while the fruit takes an encore. This shows seriously hefty fruit matched with a terrific underpinning of terroir. For the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2039. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 583 cases made, 50 cases imported. –JM”
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $299, that’s $284.05 at 5% off and $269.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $619, that’s $588.05 at 5% off and $557.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96-98 points “Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit liqueur, licorice, olive and potpourri are complemented by an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with intense boysenberry, cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. Shows a suave blend of power and delicacy and betrays no rough edges. Youthfully chewy tannins add shape to an extremely long, mineral-driven finish that delivers outstanding clarity and floral thrust.”
Decanter 96 points “Plum, damson and blackberry coulis. Dense fruit, very fine tannins and a seamless texture. The alcohol here is quite high, but it’s a very impressive wine nonetheless, with great concentration and length, not to mention fine tannins and balanced acidity. An authentic expression of the Hill. There is some cinnamon and cola oak spice running through it and the fruit can take it, it’s well balanced. From lieu-dit Les Grandes Vignes, the highest plot on the hill of Hermitage, a new cuvée first made in 2015. Drinking Window 2026 – 2038.”
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $225, that’s $213.75 at 5% off and $202.50 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Hermitage La Chapelle is slightly denser than the 2017 and is a bigger, richer, more structured wine than the La Maison Bleue. Crème de cassis, blackberries, crushed rocks, ozone, scorched earth, and violet notes all emerge from this beautifully classic, elegant, seamless wine that carries full-bodied richness, building tannins, and a big finish, all while staying in the classic, elegant, balanced style of the vintage. It has plenty of tannins and is a quintessential La Chapelle that will have three decades of longevity.”
James Suckling 97-98 points “Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much character yet turns fine and focused at the end. A beauty.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96-98 points “(raised in 20% new oak) Dark purple. A highly expressive, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh blackberry and blueberry, candied flowers, incense and exotic spices. Sweet, palate-staining black and blue fruit liqueur and violet pastille flavors are complicated by suggestions of cracked pepper and bitter chocolate; a spicecake nuance gains strength with aeration. Steadily building tannins add shape and grip to the extremely long, incisive finish, which emphatically repeats the floral and mineral notes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this wine turn out as well as the amazing 2015 version.”
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle comes from the firm’s vineyards on the western half of the Hermitage slope, primarily Le Méal, but with substantial contributions from Les Rocoules and Les Bessards. Classic notes of cassis, black olives, mocha and roasted meat are joined by hints of baking spices in a wine that’s full-bodied, deep, dense and rich, with a velvety texture and a lingering finish. It’s lower in alcohol than the 2018, less voluptuous and maybe just a step behind that monumental wine, but it’s still a serious collectible with three decades of evolution ahead of it.-JC”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The beautifully proportioned 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle comes across as a complex, complete version of this renowned bottling, with no rough edges—just moderate spice, cassis, red berries and cedar on the nose. It’s medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, brimming with harmony and elegance on the palate, while the finish is long, echoing with cassis, charcoal and crushed stone. The tannins firm up a bit on the finish, so I suspect this will close down soon, then blossom sometime after 2025.”
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Might this be the next vintage of La Chapelle to crack triple digits? Knockout aromas of crushed stone, violets, blueberries, and cassis mark the nose of the 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle, while the full-bodied palate is undeniably more intense and powerful than the more elegant 2018. Rich and velvety, it coats the mouth with dark fruit and creamy-textured espresso, yet retains remarkable length and licorice-derived peppery freshness on the finish. Wow!”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Showing even better than when I tasted it last year, the 2019 Hermitage La Chapelle is another ripe, powerful, sexy, and full-bodied example of this cuvée that brings classic La Chapelle gamey darker fruits as well as smoked meats, chocolate, sandalwood, and peppery spice. Full-bodied on the palate, it has good concentration, lots of ripeness, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. As with the 2018, it’s opened up beautifully on the palate since I tasted it at the domaine and is a ripe, expansive, pure, beautiful Hermitage.”
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Petite Chapelle – La Maison Bleue 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Even richer, darker and more powerful than the 2018 version, the 2019 Hermitage La Maison Bleue offers up some lifted, minty notes to accent its potent cassis fruit. Dark, dense, and Port-like without being overly heavy or dense, this full-bodied effort is long, intense and concentrated, with softly dusty tannins on the finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Beautiful cassis, truffle, damp earth, and ground pepper emerge from the 2019 Hermitage La Maison Bleue. Coming from the eastern portion of Hermitage Hill, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s certainly in the same league (and style) as the 2018, and while it’s going to drink nicely at a young age, my money is on it evolving gracefully for 20-25 years.”
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Yann Chave Hermitage 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 points “A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-muids of this wine in 2019, all of them new.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our 17 selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Paitin
5% off any 6-11 in-stock wines from Paitin
10% off any 12 or more in-stock wines from Paitin
Mount Etna
5% off any 6-11 in-stock wines from Mount Etna
10% off any 12 or more in-stock wines from Mount Etna
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Mount Etna sale ends Thursday, March 28th at 9 am Pacific. Paitin sale ends Friday, March 29th at 9 am Pacific.