1999 Hermitage Blanc Marquise de la Tourette
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette is outstanding. It boasts 14% natural alcohol, abundant glycerin, and notes of honeysuckle mixed with fino sherry, pineapples, minerals, and a hint of acacia flowers. This is a good commercial example. The significant difference in quality between the outstanding 1999 northern Rhone vintage and the above average yet essentially correct 2000 is dramatically evidenced in Delas's wines. The 2000 red offerings reveal charming ripeness, but also the vintage's softness, lightness, and lack of depth. Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 286-2000.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Terrific nose melds acacia honey, minerals, flint, spearmint, cinnamon and exotic floral notes. Dense, thick and chewy in the mouth; less expressive than on the nose but already hints at the complexity to come. Very rich but very dry. A white Hermitage with terrific spine for aging. Beginning with this vintage, Delas has used a new pneumatic press that results in finer lees and makes it possible to do more batonnage to enrich the wine. This is excellent.