1 | Wine | Other White, 91 to 95, 2009

"Light, bright gold. Complex, highly fragrant aromas of peach pit, melon and orange peel, with musky floral and mineral qualities gaining strength with air. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering intense, well-defined citrus fruit and anise flavors lifted by chalky minerality. At once powerful and lithe, with excellent finishing clarity and a lingering note of bitter orange."

"A barrel sample of the 2009 Hermitage Ex-Voto Blanc is sensational. Notes of powdered rock, anise, intense honeyed citrus, tropical fruit and quince along with lively acids and massive concentration suggest this 2009 will be a long distance runner and confirms the greatness of this vintage. Fat and unctuous, it should be approachable young, but last for 2+ decades." 94-98 pts, reviewed by Robert Parker.

"It has a precise nose with faint traces of lime zest, freshly sliced grapefruit and white peach. The palate is well-balanced with crisp acidity, great tension, and honeysuckle, almond and shaved ginger on the very refined finish. This is outstanding, but alas only around 6,000 bottles are produced."