The 2004 Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette blanc is brilliant. It offers gorgeous aromas of rose water, hazelnuts, smoke, and unctuous, buttery citrus as well as honeysuckle. Except for its floral component, this stunning white Hermitage tastes like a top-notch Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast. Delas also does a superb job with Condrieu, and 2004 is an excellent vintage for this tiny appellation.
Importer: Maison Marques et Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000