Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Marcel Guigal’s to own vineyard land on the hill of Hermitage. Through the purchase of the de Vallouit and J. L. Grippat Domaines in 2000, Guigal acquired four exceptional vineyard parcels on this legendary site. The 2001 vintage was the first release of this estate-bottled Hermitage red and white. The quality of the intense old-vine fruit is quite special, but given the Guigal’s already strong work in Hermitage, they decided to only release an Ex-Voto red or white when the wine is utterly exceptional and clearly superior to their appellation bottlings.

The grapes come from four steep sloped vineyards: Bessards (30%), Greffieux (30%), L’Hermite (20%), and Murets (20%). The vines at these sites average 50-90 years in age, and the soil types range from clay to granite to alluvial.

Grapes are hand-harvested before undergoing a vinification of 4 weeks in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with frequent pump-overs. The wine is bottled without fining or filtration, creating a wine that represents the pinnacle of the appellation, with exceptional concentration and great potential longevity.

Described by the Guigals as the “vintage of a lifetime,” which brought heat and drought, without the downside as nights were cool, maintaining acidity, and rains well-timed for ideal ripening. The Guigals offer their trademark toasty oak style to this wine, with vibrant, spicy, and rich dark fruit notes on the palate.