2016 Crozes Hermitage Blanc

I loved the 2016 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, which is largely Marsanne with 10% Roussanne. This medium-bodied, elegant, lively effort has classic notes of tangerine, buttered citrus and honeysuckle. With good acidity and freshness, it’s impeccably made and will keep for 2-3 years. Due to the timing of my visit (which was earlier than normal), I wasn’t able to taste a full lineup from Guigal. Nevertheless, even an abbreviated lineup from Guigal consists of more wines than just about every other producer I taste with. Looking at the 2016s, the white wines, especially from Condrieu, are brilliant and show the more fresh, vibrant style of this cooler, late vintage. The reds are very classic in style across the board. I’ll taste these again, mostly from barrel, next year as well, but this is certainly an excellent vintage. The 2015s, as I’ve written more than once now, are truly spectacular, and after tasting these wines multiple times from barrel now, I completely understand why Marcel Guigal would declare this the greatest vintage of his lifetime. These are rich, voluptuous, massive wines I think will represent a modern-day version of 1978. The 2014s continue to improve every time I taste them, which is common for this estate. Similar, perhaps, to a toned down 2012, these are charming, supple, elegant wines that are vastly more approachable than the 2013s. Lastly, the 2013s from bottle showed the backward, dark, mineral-laced profile of the vintage. They’re beautifully concentrated and terrific wines, yet the cellar is going to be your friend.

The 2016 Crozes Hermitage Blanc is 95% Marsanne, 5% Roussanne. It’s a bit smoky upfront (one-quarter of the blend was aged in second use oak barriques), then adds subtle notes of marshmallow and melon. It’s medium-bodied and round in the mouth, then adds a touch of citrus zest on the finish. Drink it young.

The 2016 Crozes Hermitage Blanc is 95% Marsanne, 5% Roussanne. It’s a bit smoky upfront (one-quarter of the blend was aged in second use oak barriques), then adds subtle notes of marshmallow and melon. It’s medium-bodied and round in the mouth, then adds a touch of citrus zest on the finish. Drink it young. Dec 2017, www.robertparker.com