2013 L'Ermitage Brut Rose
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 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 French méthode traditionelle and adds special oak-aged reserve wines to each blend. L’Ermitage debuted with the 1989 vintage.
95 Points, Top 100 Wines of the Year“The Roederer team in Champagne are rosé specialists, and they have brought their talents to bear on the fruit of their Anderson Valley estate, where Arnaud Weyrich makes this wine. It’s the sixth release since L’Ermitage Rosé was launched in 1999, a sparkler that gains its color from a small portion of pinot noir still wine, the grapes macerating through an extended cold soak, then finishing their fermentation off the skins to capture the fruit rather than the tannins. The 2013 is a mouthwatering wine, refreshingly brisk, integrating its delicate red fruit with savory-saline notes of green olive that add complexity. Graceful enough to enjoy on its own, it’s built as a wine for food—especially a main course, like lobster grilled in its shell.”
— Wine & Spirits, Josh Greene, June 202294 points
“Graceful and vibrant, with detailed strawberry, quince and spiced cinnamon flavors that expand and take on richness on the long, crisp finish. Drink now.”
— Wine Spectator, Tim Fish, April 202295 Points
“This is primarily an excellent, light red wine, offering dried strawberries and herbs with stone and flint undertones. It’s full-bodied with tightness and layered mid-palate with an crisp, energetic finish. Fine bubbles at the end. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir. Drink or hold.”
— JamesSuckling.com, James Suckling, April 202295 Points
“A rich fruitiness and an intriguing savory, meaty quality lend rare complexity and interest to this light-copper-colored and creamy-textured wine. Flavors from dried apricot to raspberry to ginger light up the palate, while crisp acidity and an ultrafine bead of bubbles make a perfect texture.”
— Wine Enthusiast, Jim Gordon, March 202218/20 Points
“Coppery color, intense mousse, toasty, spicy stemmy character not unlike the NV rosé. Chamomile, apricot, brioche and a kiss of strawberry on the finish.”
— JancisRobinson.com, Samantha Cole-Johnson, January 28, 2022
95 Points, Top 100 Wines of the Year
The Roederer team in Champagne are rosé specialists, and they have brought their talents to bear on the fruit of their Anderson Valley estate, where Arnaud Weyrich makes this wine.