Handing over on a high
From father to son, Guillaume Sorrel takes the mantle
'The wines from 2017 and 2018 are stunning, fitting testaments to Marc's final vintages.' Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com
Sorrel and Gerin tasting
Tuesday 4 February, 7-9pm
Bishopsgate shop
Seated
£95 per person inc VAT
Marc Sorrel retired at the end of 2018. But Marc has gone out on a double high with the successive vintage triumphs from first 2017 and now 2018. 2018 is a wonderful year that combines the energy of the 16s with the richness of 17. The delicacy and elegance of the Sorrel style matches perfectly with the low yields and intensity of 18. The single plot wines are even more extraordinary. These are must-have additions to the cellar for the Rhône afficionado.
Renowned Rhône critic John Livingstone-Learmonth says '2018 is a great year for Northern Rhône whites made from Marsanne and Roussane. They combine deep, rolling gras richness, with lines of clarity and length.' And again, 'Hermitage 2018 is a rich affair, and gives wines where terroir can certainly play a part over time: patient cellaring is required.' And again 'It's a vintage where the Hierarchy of the soils has never been stronger. There are striking wines from the most noble terroirs, which have often prevailed in the battle with the weather.' The Sorrel holdings are entirely on the best plots.
And the future? With the succession to the tiny Tain jewel of Sorrel now fixed, Hermitage lovers can rest assured that the estate is in the best hands. Guillaume - long the keeper of the vines - is now free to make some significant changes. First in his beloved vines, there will be some new plantings: some plots and a lot of individual vine replacements. In the cellar the main change will be one bottling only per cuvee and I dare say we'll see the appearance of a bottling line rather than the bottling and labelling by hand that Marc was wedded to. Everything else will stay the same.
You can meet Guillaume on 4 February when he'll show all his 2018s with some older vintages as well as the wines of Domaine Gerin in Côte-Rôtie. There will be more information to follow on Gerin's wines. Details are on the website here and you can book from there or directly with us. /CW
Offered subject to confirmation; 2018s available Winter 2020, other wines available immediately
