Domaine du Colombier Hermitage Blanc 2017 Northern Rhone

The continuing elevation of this Domaine into the pantheon of Hermitage greatness is testament to the ceaseless work of the remarkably tall owner Florent Viale. A fan of prolonged maturation of a year and a half, he does not filter, and prefers using oak tonneaux rather than the smaller barriques so as not to obscure terroir and fruit. As a result, the Hermitage is powerful and wholesome but not without elegance. The wines are a robust and deep example of Hermitage. A palate redolent with fresh peach and apricot fruit with blossom and white flower touches. A glorious 100% barrel-fermented Marsanne from a parcel in the clay limestone Maison Blanche vineyard planted in 1944. Being high up on the plateau this is always the last vineyard to be harvested at the Domaine.