- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
TASTING NOTES
Nestled in Mendocino County’s fog-shrouded Anderson Valley, Roederer Estate has been a beacon of fine winemaking since its inception in 1982. As the esteemed California property of Champagne Louis Roederer, the estate seamlessly integrates centuries-old traditions with the unique terroir of this premium grape-growing region. The valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean fosters a gentle climate of warm days and cool nights, allowing grapes to mature slowly and develop their full varietal character.
Roederer Estate stands out among California sparkling wine producers for its commitment to sourcing only estate-grown fruit. Every farming decision is meticulously made, beginning with an in-depth understanding of the estate’s soils. This knowledge guides the use of open lyre trellis systems and high-density plantations. The vineyards are farmed using organic and biodynamic practices, and the grape maturity is meticulously tracked to achieve the perfect balance at harvest.
L'Ermitage, the estate’s special Tête de Cuvée, is crafted exclusively in exceptional years from pre-selected, estate-grown grapes. Embracing the tradition of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate produces its sparkling wines using the traditional French méthode traditionnelle and incorporates special oak-aged reserve wines into each blend. L'Ermitage made its debut with the 1989 vintage and has since been synonymous with excellence.
The winemaking process at Roederer Estate is distinguished by the use of juice from only the cuvée pressing, eschewing both the première and deuxième taille. This rigorous selection ensures that only the finest vintages are used for L'Ermitage, resulting in wines that are noble and capable of longer aging. The outcome is a sparkling wine of exceptional elegance and finesse, embodying the best of its vintage.
The 2017 growing season in Anderson Valley was marked by a wet winter, followed by a cool, wet, and windy spring. The late May rains affected vineyard bloom, leading to an average yield year. The summer brought a slow ripening pattern, preserving high acidity in the grapes. An early September heatwave accelerated the harvest in the estate’s late-ripening parcels, ensuring that the grapes were harvested at optimal maturity with balanced acidity and fairly high sugar levels.
The 2017 L'Ermitage is a masterful blend of 52% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, and 2% Pinot Meunier, with 4.9% aged reserve wine from 2012. This composition, combined with the estate’s meticulous farming and winemaking practices, results in a sparkling wine of remarkable complexity, elegance, and depth, truly reflecting the extraordinary conditions of its vintage.
Alcohol: 13.2%
Roederer Estate stands out among California sparkling wine producers for its commitment to sourcing only estate-grown fruit. Every farming decision is meticulously made, beginning with an in-depth understanding of the estate’s soils. This knowledge guides the use of open lyre trellis systems and high-density plantations. The vineyards are farmed using organic and biodynamic practices, and the grape maturity is meticulously tracked to achieve the perfect balance at harvest.
L'Ermitage, the estate’s special Tête de Cuvée, is crafted exclusively in exceptional years from pre-selected, estate-grown grapes. Embracing the tradition of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate produces its sparkling wines using the traditional French méthode traditionnelle and incorporates special oak-aged reserve wines into each blend. L'Ermitage made its debut with the 1989 vintage and has since been synonymous with excellence.
The winemaking process at Roederer Estate is distinguished by the use of juice from only the cuvée pressing, eschewing both the première and deuxième taille. This rigorous selection ensures that only the finest vintages are used for L'Ermitage, resulting in wines that are noble and capable of longer aging. The outcome is a sparkling wine of exceptional elegance and finesse, embodying the best of its vintage.
The 2017 growing season in Anderson Valley was marked by a wet winter, followed by a cool, wet, and windy spring. The late May rains affected vineyard bloom, leading to an average yield year. The summer brought a slow ripening pattern, preserving high acidity in the grapes. An early September heatwave accelerated the harvest in the estate’s late-ripening parcels, ensuring that the grapes were harvested at optimal maturity with balanced acidity and fairly high sugar levels.
The 2017 L'Ermitage is a masterful blend of 52% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir, and 2% Pinot Meunier, with 4.9% aged reserve wine from 2012. This composition, combined with the estate’s meticulous farming and winemaking practices, results in a sparkling wine of remarkable complexity, elegance, and depth, truly reflecting the extraordinary conditions of its vintage.
Alcohol: 13.2%
96 POINTS - "Delightful citrus notes with yellow apple, faint white flowers, sourdough, brioche and a hint of hazelnut. Full-bodied with a very delicate and fine bead, and crisp acidity. Beautiful finesse with an amusing transparency and freshness to it. Very refreshing, too. Fine bubbles. Structured. Drink with meat. A blend of 52% chardonnay, 46% pinot noir and 2% pinot meunier." - James Suckling
94 POINTS - "Opulent yet detailed, with expressive pear and cherry flavors accented by roasted hazelnut, brioche and fresh ginger. Builds richness on the plush finish." - Wine Spectator
94 POINTS - "Opulent yet detailed, with expressive pear and cherry flavors accented by roasted hazelnut, brioche and fresh ginger. Builds richness on the plush finish." - Wine Spectator
Fine tiny bubbles and a long lasting mousse are the usual footprints of the L’Ermitage cuvée. Rich aromatics of butter pastry and Asian pear. Broad entry, clean mouthfeel. Quince freshness and texture. Soft and gentle finish. A L’Ermitage from a warmer vintage with power and richness.