2016 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc

The 2016 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes Blanc is a total blockbuster and almost matches what was achieved in 2015! Coming from the bottom part of the Les Bessards lieu-dit and from the Les Grandes Vignes lieu-dit at the highest point on the hill, it’s 100% Marsanne brought up all in 30% new barrel. Killer notes of apple blossom, buttered citrus, and orange blossom all soar from the glass of this rich, powerful Hermitage Blanc that has a red wine-like structure, a huge mid-palate, and a great finish. It shows the fresher style preferred by this estate, has terrific purity, and will keep for 2+ decades. Delas Frères is located just outside of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols and has plenty of prime parcels spread throughout the entire northern Rhône Valley. The 2015s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from this estate since the 2010s, and if anything, the wines appear to be slightly more balanced and polished, with less obvious oak. The 2016s are less showy, yet have very classic, balanced profiles, and this is unquestionably another good vintage for this estate, which appears to be firing on all cylinders.

The blend of Delas' white Hermitage is 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne, barrel fermented and aged in approximately one-third new oak. The 2016 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc features subtle notes of pencil shavings, ripe, tropical fruit and tremendous presence on the palate. That feeling (it's not exactly weight per se) extends through the long, slightly honeyed and cedary finish. While attractive now, I wouldn't be surprised to see this wine still going strong in 2026 and beyond.