Domaine Belle Hermitage Blanc, Rhone, 2018 France Etude and 5% cabernet franc

and 5% cabernet franc

The nose on this special brew is a lively collection of cherries

before drifting into mint

Hints of roses and other flowers

Domaine Belle Hermitage Blanc, Rhone, 2018 France Etude and 5% cabernet francA 60 40 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne from Plat, the 2018 Hermitage Blanc is a powerhouse white Hermitage. Barrel fermented and aged in two thirds new oak, it's full bodied, rich and broad, loaded with honeyed notes of pear, melon and citrus yet comes across as balanced, with a long, refreshing finish. Tasted blind on another occasion, I liked it less, finding it slightly tropical and confected and shorter on the finish, but otherwise similar 97 Pts