Tardieu Laurent : Hermitage 2020

Though heady and rich, this shows focus and energy, with pithy grapefruit and mineral-edged acidity providing ballast for sweet peach, clementine and crushed pear. Salty-sweet buttercream notes play out on the long finish. Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink now through 2032. 350 cases made, 50 cases imported.

The 2020 Hermitage is a brilliant wine that offers everything you could want from a Northern Rhône white. Honeyed quince, crushed stone, white flowers, green almond, and buttery, toasty nuances all emerge on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, elegant mouthfeel, good concentration, and a gorgeous finish. It's not the biggest Hermitage Blanc out there, but it's perfectly balanced, has a layered mouthfeel, and is going to evolve for over two decades in cold cellars.

A still very youthful bouquet with notes of vanilla, blossom, and marzipan. The palate is creamy and refined, with a very balanced length, depth and silkiness, and plenty of potential.