“I would be happy to insert the Ermitage de l’Orée in a blind tasting against the world’s greatest dry white wines, including Montrachet.” – Robert Parker

So, what we have here then, one of the world’s greatest dry white wines, yea? At 60% OFF??!!!

Here’s the catch, all we could get were these 36 bottles.

Nuff said, we’ll let the reviews do the talking…

98+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck

“This was another stunning tasting with the team at Chapoutier. They’ve produced some of the wines of the vintage in 2018… One of the beauties of the 2018s is that the wines have a wonderful sense of freshness and purity reminiscent of a cooler year, yet paired with the fruit, depth, and richness of a warmer year. The top “Sélections Parcellaires” cuvées range from 300 to 1,000 cases, and while they can be frightfully expensive, they’re among the greatest wines in the world. Leading off the single vineyard Hermitage whites, the 2018 Ermitage de l’Orée is all Marsanne, from the Les Murets lieu-dit, brought up mostly in used demi-muids. , and vivid charcoal notes emerge from the glass of this beautiful, concentrated, opulent Hermitage, which has a stacked mid-palate and a level of structure fitting for a red wine. It’s a brilliant wine that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for 20+. Drink 2022-2042.”

96-98 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

*“The fascination here with individual wines of terroir means that the number of bottlings has grown considerably over the years… At the very top end, you can’t go wrong with any of the Sélections Parcellaires from either vintage. Classy hints of pencil shavings accent the pear, nectarine and melon fruit in the full-bodied, voluptuous 2018 Ermitage de l’Orée. Despite the wine’s ample richness and weight, it’s surprisingly fresh and zesty, with hints of citrus zest and brine lingering on the finish. Drink 2020-2040.

96 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Brilliant straw-gold. Powerful, mineral-accented orchard and pit fruit aromas are complemented by lemon curd, iodine and pungent floral accents. Intense, palate-staining pear nectar and Meyer lemon flavors show superb concentration. Definition and a sexy floral nuance build through the mid-palate. Opens up steadily on an extremely long, floral-tinged finish that emphatically echoes the pit fruit and mineral notes. Drink 2024-2034.”

96 Points –Wine Spectator

“This is creamy-edged, but with a racy spine, brightness and energy, showing floral lift amid a mix of white peach, white nectarine and mango flavors. The long finish is threaded with chamomile and verbena notes. Drink now through 2035. 52 cases imported.”