Ripe pineapple and honey notes mark the nose of the 2020 Hermitage Blanc Nobles Rives. Hints of pear appear in support, along with a touch of citrus zest. While full-bodied, it's not overdone or hugely rich, with a smooth, silky feel on the palate and a long finish. Like most white Hermitage, it may be consumed within its first few years or held a decade or more.

The 2019 Hermitage Blanc Nobles Rives is a 95-5 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne fermented and aged in a combination of 400-liter oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Subtle hints of toasted almond accent ripe peach and pear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is broad and expansive. Big and bold, it's a powerful version of the cooperative's basic white Hermitage, finishing with hints of licorice, white pepper and crushed stone. White Hermitage can certainly age well, but that doesn't mean they all get better with time in the cellar—I'd drink this one on the young side.

A blend of 95% Marsanne and 5% Roussanne, fermented and matured in both barrel and tank, the 2018 Hermitage Blanc Nobles Rives is polished brass in color, with bold scents of ripe peaches accented by toasted nuts and underscored by hints of melon and pear. Medium to full-bodied, it's broad and expansive on the palate, then fades away with gentle notes of beeswax and citrus. Although I suspect this wine will still be in decent shape after a decade of cellaring, I'd opt for drinking it young.