This stellar Northern Rhône red is described by Robert Parker`s Wine Advocate as follows, `The 2018 Hermitage Le Greal is a blend from Greffieux and Le Méal, hence the name. That aside, it`s simply a stupendous wine, bursting with licorice, violets and cassis on the nose and backed by ample concentration and a rich, velvety mouthfeel. There`s a faint steaminess evident (the fermentation is 100% whole clusters), but it just adds complexity to both the palette of aromas and flavors and the palate (in terms of textural interest). The finish is long, long, long.
Producer Information
Marc Sorrel is a leading estate in the Hermitage appellation of the northern Rhône, producing traditionally styled, long-lived red wines from Syrah as well as white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne. The estate was founded in 1928 by Félix Sorrel and from 1984 to 2018, was run by his grandson Marc. Today, Marc’s son Guillaume is at the helm of the domaine.The estate is best known for its Hermitage wines, sourced from several plots on the famous hillside. Typically, the vines are planted on granite-based soils, and enjoy the region’s sunny, south-oriented mesoclimate. Some of the vines are more than 60 years old, and produce tiny yields of intensely concentrated berries.There are four Hermitage wines in Marc Sorrel’s current portfolio – two red and two white and are varietal expressions of Syrah and Marsanne respectively. The top red wine, Le Gréal, is produced in tiny amounts from the best old vine parcels of Syrah within the estate with a small portion of Marsanne. The white wine, Les Rocoules, is predominantly Marsanne with a little Roussanne. Marc Sorrel also makes a red and a white Crozes-Hermitage wine.
