The producer
Would there be a modern Rhone wine industry without Etienne Guigal? Founded in 1946 it has certainly been the success story for the region with holdings from Cote Rotie in the north through to Cotes-du Rhone in the south. Guigal sells over 4 million bottles a year!
Guigal made his reputation initially with stunning wines from Cote Rotie – which not only made his name but also, in a way, that of the whole appellation. This success allowed them to expand throughout the Rhone, buying and reviving old domaines and vineyards.
The wines they make throughout the Rhone Valley are examples of quality and consistency, none less so than their Hermitages – white and red. As with their Cote-Rotie’s they use a considerable amount of new oak and their wines are of equally resplendent character.
The wine
Produced only in exceptional vintages, Ermitage Blanc Ex-Voto is extraordinarily aromatic and complex. Made from 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, grapes for the white Ex-Voto are mainly from the single vineyard Murets and aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Full-bodied and voluptuous, Ex Voto Blanc has rich exotic fruit flavours and layers of velvety texture, with complex mineral and nutty notes on the finish. The production is around 500 cases annually.
