2013 L'Ermitage Brut
Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate is nestled in Mendocino County’s fog-shrouded, Anderson Valley. As the California property of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate builds upon a centuries-old tradition of fine winemaking. The premium grape growing region’s proximity to the Pacific ocean gives rise to a gentle cycle of warm days and cool nights, allowing grapes to mature slowly on the vine and develop full varietal character.Among the very few California sparkling wine houses that only sources estate-grown fruit, Roederer Estate is also meticulous about all its farming decisions. The winemaking process begins with in-depth knowledge of the Estate soils to introduce open lyre trellis system or high density plantation, extends to the decision to farm vineyards organically and biodynamically, and finishes by painstakingly tracking grape maturity to achieve perfect balance at harvest.
L’Ermitage, Roederer Estate’s special Tête de Cuvée, is a sparkling wine made only in exceptional years from pre-selected, estate-grown grapes. Carrying on the tradition of Champagne Louis Roederer in France, Roederer Estate produces its sparkling wines in the traditional French méthode traditionelle and adds special oak-aged reserve wines to each blend. L’Ermitage debuted with the 1989 vintage.
95 Points, #42 Top 100 Wines of 2020 | Cellar Selection
“A panoply of subtle aromas and delicate flavors wrapped in a silky, slightly crisp texture give this medium-bodied wine a great sense of elegance. Fresh ginger, biscuits, toasted almonds and mild cherry nuances fill the palate. Best through 2025.”
— Wine Enthusiast, Jim Gordon, December 1, 2020
92 Points
“Luscious and creamy, with succulent baked pear, caramelized nut and vibrant lemon flavors that take on richness and polish on the finish. Drink now through 2021.”
— Wine Spectator, Tim Fish, October 31, 202093 Points
“L'Ermitage is a selection of the estate's top fruit of the vintage. The 2013 is 52 percent chardonnay and 48 percent pinot noir, with four percent barrel-aged reserve wine from the 2011 vintage. It's mouthwatering and dynamic, with layers of flavor, both fresh apple and more mature notes. An elegant, satisfying sparkler with dimension, it's fit for a plateau de fruits de mer.”
— Wine & Spirits, Josh Greene, October 202093+ Points
“The 2013 L'Ermitage Brut is the current release of L'Ermitage and was disgorged in June of 2019. 2013 was the beginning of a long period of drought, and winemaker Arnaud Weyrich feels that it brings this vintage "concentration, phenolics and texture—this wine has body." The nose is open and inviting, golden apples mingling with toast, mushrooms, honey and crushed stone. The medium-bodied palate, with eight grams per liter dosage, has pure fruits tactfully accented by earthy, toasty notes. It's energetic but rounded, supported by a finely beaded mousse, and it finishes long and layered.”
— The Wine Advocate, Erin Brooks, September 10, 2020
95 Points, #42 Top 100 Wines of 2020 | Cellar Selection
A panoply of subtle aromas and delicate flavors wrapped in a silky, slightly crisp texture give this medium-bodied wine a great sense of elegance.