2021 Domaine Marc Sorrel Hermitage 'Les Rocoules'

Region: Rhone Valley, France

Grape: Marsanne, Roussanne

Culinary Suggestions: Fish Stew, Shellfish, Thai Dishes, Sushi

Vineyard Practice: Organic

About

Domaine Marc Sorrel is a renowned winery located in the Northern Rhône region of France, specifically on the hillside of Hermitage. The estate owns 2.55 hectares of prime vineyard parcels in this legendary winegrowing area. The winery is known for its exceptional Syrah red wines and old-vine Marsanne white wines.

The Sorrel family has a long history in Hermitage, dating back to 1893. Marc Sorrel, the patriarch, had been in charge of the estate since 1982. In 2019, he passed the reins to his son, Guillaume, who is now responsible for the winemaking and management of the domain. Guillaume is continuing the family's tradition of producing high-quality wines from their Hermitage vineyards.

Guillaume Sorrel has adapted to the challenges posed by a warming climate by using 100% whole bunch fruit and minimizing the use of new oak in his winemaking process. This approach results in red wines that are profound, structured, and powerful.

The flagship wine of Domaine Marc Sorrel is called "Le Gréal." It is made from 100-year-old Syrah vines that are organically farmed. The grapes for Le Gréal primarily come from two of Hermitage's greatest vineyard sites: Le Méal and Les Gréffieux. This wine represents the pinnacle of the estate's production and is highly regarded for its quality.

In addition to their red wines, the estate also produces white wines made from 100% old-vine Marsanne grapes. These white wines are known for their richness and waxy texture, offering a different but equally exceptional expression of the Hermitage terroir.