Wine Advisor
Marc Sorrel, Hermitage Le Greal 2010
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Sorrel achieved the same percentage of natural alcohol in his 2010 Hermitage Le Greal, but production was slightly smaller because of some flowering issues with the Syrah. The 2010’s dense purple color is accompanied by notes of tapenade, damp earth, forest floor, charcuterie, blackberries and spice box. Full-bodied, soft, deep and surprisingly accessible for such a young Hermitage, it should firm up with bottle age and drink well for 12-15 years. (Not yet released) Importer: J.O.A. Imports, McLean, VA; www.jaowineimports.com
About the Producer
Marc Sorrel is a leading estate in the Hermitage appellation of the northern Rhône, producing traditionally styled, long-lived red wines from Syrah as well as white wines from Marsanne and Roussanne. The estate was founded in 1928 by Félix Sorrel and from 1984 to 2018, was run by his grandson Marc. Today, Marc's son Guillaume is at the helm of the domaine. The estate is best known for its Hermitage wines, sourced from several plots on the famous hillside. Typically, the vines are planted on granite-based soils, and enjoy the region's sunny, south-oriented mesoclimate. Some of the vines are more than 60 years old, and produce tiny yields of intensely concentrated berries. There are four Hermitage wines in Marc Sorrel's current portfolio – two red and two white and are varietal expressions of Syrah and Marsanne respectively. The top red wine, Le Gréal, is produced in tiny amounts from the best old vine parcels of Syrah within the estate with a small portion of Marsanne. The white wine, Les Rocoules, is predominantly Marsanne with a little Roussanne. Marc Sorrel also makes a red and a white Crozes-Hermitage wine. In the winery, the grapes are often whole-bunch fermented. The white varieties are fermented in large used oak barrels to impart a soft oak influence. All wines are aged in old oak barrels in the cellar for a period prior to bottling.
