Review: Hermitage Cave de Tain 2005 Blanc
- vinterest
- Jun 21, 2015
- 2 min read
The low-down: Ah the Rhone valley! Wonderful, well crafted and long ageing reds and whites without the luxury branding and astronomical prices of Burgundy and Bordeaux ... landing squarely in the sweet spot of French wine-making. Hermitage is probably the most famous AOP in north Cote du Rhone, established in 1937. It produces mostly syrah, however, small quantities of white wine are also produced from roussane and marsanne - like this number.
Hermitage is named after the knight Gaspard de Sterimberg who, when returning home from the Crusades, was given permission by the Queen of France to build a small refuge to recover in, where he remained living as a hermit. Through the ages Hermitage was regularly presented alongside Bordeaux, Champagne and Burgundy as one of France's leading wines. In fact, in the 19th century, wines from Bordeaux were often "hermitaged" (that is, blended with Hermitage) commanding higher prices as a result.
Cave de Tain is a co-operative owned by 240 growers across Hermitage, and north Cote du Rhone beyond, who together own 25% of the vines and are known for offering good value. We picked this up at Dubai Duty Free for 38 Euros but it retails for 28 Euros in France. At 14.0% it's one of the stronger whites out there!
The take: Rich, golden, copper color. Transparent. The nose is initially lemonade with oxidised notes. Settles into honey, apricot, flowers with a mineral base. The attack is smooth, good acidity, almost metallic, little sugar, a bitter base. Quite neutral actually. A restrained wine that settles into a creamy texture with hints of fruit.
In closing: Restrained and polished.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10.
Fact corner:
Country: France
Region: Hermitage (AOP)
Producer: Cave de Tain
Vintage: 2005
Grape: Marsanne
Alcohol content: 14.0%
Serving temperature: 12-14°C
Price range: Mid-range
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