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1999 Domaine de Vallouit Hermitage Les Greffières Hermitage Rhône France Wine Tasting Note

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1999
Domaine de Vallouit Les Greffières  (Hermitage)
95
It has been 6 years since I lasted this wine and the wait has been worth it. This stellar gem is concentrated, rich, silky and long. The sweet, spicy, peppery red fruits are the perfect backdrop to allow its mineral essences and smoky, herbal accents to shine through. The problem is finding a bottle as not much was made and there are no bottles for sale that I can see. But if you find a bottle or case, grab it!

It has been 6 years since I lasted this wine and the wait has been worth it. This stellar gem is concentrated, rich, silky and long. The sweet, spicy, peppery red fruits are the perfect backdrop to allow its mineral essences and smoky, herbal accents to shine through. The problem is finding a bottle as not much was made and there are no bottles for sale that I can see. But if you find a bottle or case, grab it!

2,118 Views   Tasted
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This wine is almost there. It's fleshier, softer, more giving and complex than it was a few years ago. The ripe blackberries are soft, with silky tannins. The fruit filled finish, delivers a long impression of fruit and minerality. Double decanted for 20-30 minutes, the wine improved in the glass for more than 2 hours. If you're looking for a solid Hermitage, that will is not all that pricey, this is the ticket.

This wine is almost there. It's fleshier, softer, more giving and complex than it was a few years ago. The ripe blackberries are soft, with silky tannins. The fruit filled finish, delivers a long impression of fruit and minerality. Double decanted for 20-30 minutes, the wine improved in the glass for more than 2 hours. If you're looking for a solid Hermitage, that will is not all that pricey, this is the ticket.

2,437 Views   Tasted
Showing maturity in color, with spice, blackberry liqueur, earth, garrigue, kirsch and charcoal in the nose. Full bodied and filled with ripe blackberry, plum, spice and cherry griotte, the wine ends with soft tannins, iron, stone and smoky cherries with pit fruit. This is surprisingly open at this stage. The wine was decanted for 3 hours prior to serving and continued to improve in the glass for a few more hours. For a mature Hermitage this young, which is now the source for Guigal Ex Voto, with a small 350 case production, at the current price this is a steal!

Showing maturity in color, with spice, blackberry liqueur, earth, garrigue, kirsch and charcoal in the nose. Full bodied and filled with ripe blackberry, plum, spice and cherry griotte, the wine ends with soft tannins, iron, stone and smoky cherries with pit fruit. This is surprisingly open at this stage. The wine was decanted for 3 hours prior to serving and continued to improve in the glass for a few more hours. For a mature Hermitage this young, which is now the source for Guigal Ex Voto, with a small 350 case production, at the current price this is a steal!

2,624 Views   Tasted
This intense, full bodied, concentrated, deep wine is filled with juicy ripe, black fruit, minerality, spice, pepper, fennel and cassis. The wine is round in texture and ends on a long, fresh, dark berry and licorice note. Still young, this can be approached at an early for an Hermitage, due to its ripe tannins and richness. This wine will age for decades. There is no better value from Hermitage in 1999. Sadly, this is the last vintage for the domaine. It was sold to Guigal, who now use it to produce the sublime Ex Voto.

This intense, full bodied, concentrated, deep wine is filled with juicy ripe, black fruit, minerality, spice, pepper, fennel and cassis. The wine is round in texture and ends on a long, fresh, dark berry and licorice note. Still young, this can be approached at an early for an Hermitage, due to its ripe tannins and richness. This wine will age for decades. There is no better value from Hermitage in 1999. Sadly, this is the last vintage for the domaine. It was sold to Guigal, who now use it to produce the sublime Ex Voto.

2,556 Views   Tasted

When to Drink Domaine Vallouit, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Vallouit, when young, should be decanted at least 2-3 hours, give or take, allowing the wines to soften and open their perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Domaine Vallouit is usually better with 10-15 years of cellaring and should be at its best between 10-25 years of age.

Serving Domaine Vallouit with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Domaine Vallouit is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Vallouit is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised and grilled dishes. Domaine Vallouit is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of Vallouit is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.