E. Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto 2018
- jd100
- wa98
Arrives mid March 2022
Ermitage Ex-Voto represents the fulfillment of a longtime dream of Guigal’s to own his 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 vineyard parcels on this legendary site.
The red comes from Bessards (30%), Greffieux (30%), L’Hermite (20%), and Murets (20%), spends a full 42 months in new casks and is bottled without fining or filtration. These cuvées are released only in exceptional vintages (no 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2014 or 2016 was bottled). This represents the pinnacle of the appellation, with exceptional concentration and great potential longevity.
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd100
The 2018 Ermitage Ex Voto is stunning, and comes closest in my mind to a mix of the 2015 and 2016. Showing more blue fruits, violets, chocolate, and a liquid rock-like minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, massive amounts of fruit, and building tannins. While the 2017 has more upfront exuberance, I love the purity, depth, and sheer class of the 2018. 98-100
Wine Advocate
- wa98
To my mind, the 2018 Ermitage Ex Voto represents something of a breakthrough for this cuvée. Marked by an intense crème de framboise character, it offers fabulous fruit and tremendous concentration without any sense of heaviness. It's full-bodied but comes across as silky and lacy in structure, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Bravo. 96-98