Domaine Jean Michel Sorrel, L'Hermitage, the grand cru of Syrah

In the heart of the northern Rhône Valley rises a small hill, steeped in centuries of history. Few winemakers cultivate the approximately 135 hectares of vines resting on this blessed site. Considered a grand cru for Syrah, this legendary appellation is none other than one of the greatest terroirs in France: Hermitage .

Henri Sorrel succeeded his father in 1945 and truly established the estate's reputation in the aftermath of the Second World War. Jacques, Jean-Michel, and Bruno inherited the current estate in 1985. It comprises three magnificently situated parcels in the lieux-dits of Bessards, Greffieux, and Clos des Plantiers, a small walled plot at the foot of Greffieux. Bessards, predominantly granitic, is one of the greatest terroirs of Hermitage for Syrah. Greffieux, with its structure and aging potential, blends more clay and limestone with granite, contributing finesse. Finally, Plantiers is primarily sandy and also imparts finesse. As you will have understood, at Sorrel there is only one wine, the result of blending the different plots, mixing the geologies and the orientations, attempting to offer a synthesis of this hill, as tradition has always dictated.

The majority of the vines were planted over 50 years ago, firmly rooted in this steep, often precipitous , vineyard where manual labor is not an option. Except for a few less steep plots where horses can pass, plow the land, and thus control the growth of weeds that compete with the vines in its poor soil.

The reds are made without dogma, destemmed or not, depending on the vintage, then aged in old barrels and bottled without fining or filtration. Here we find the common sense of the farmer, wines that we could call "old-fashioned," without pretense; one must know how to step back and let this immense terroir speak for itself.

As you will understand, production is confidential, with less than 4,000 bottles per vintage, and few enthusiasts can speak of the true moment of plenitude that tasting this great wine provides.