2010 年的 Hermitage Le Miaux blanc （大部分是Marsanne，只有少量 Roussanne）洋溢著玫瑰香水、榛子、焦糖奶油、木梨和白醋栗的香氣。酒體中等偏高，是一款令人印象深刻的、天賜的好酒，適合在未來(lái) 10 年或者更久以后飲用。

The 2009 Hermitage Le Miaux blanc (a barrel-fermented blend of 90% Marsanne and 10% Roussanne) is spectacular. Its light gold color is accompanied by copious notes of peach marmalade intertwined with hints of candle wax, rose water, quince and anise. Full-bodied and rich, this classic white Hermitage can be drunk now or cellared for several decades. If the turn around in quality of the Paul Jaboulet-Aine wines is the biggest good news story of qualitative improvement in the northern Rhone, what Michel Chapoutier has accomplished with Ferraton is a close second. This is definitely a name to be taken seriously, as Chapoutier has expanded the portfolio and continues to upgrade the quality across the board. Ferraton’s 2009s and 2010s are the finest wines made to date. There appears to be three levels of quality now being produced, beginning with the generic bottlings, to the single vineyard (or lieu-dit) offerings, followed by the top of the line, more expensive, limited production efforts called selections parcellaires.Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

Equally as good, but made in a completely different style, is the fuller, nuttier, licorice-infused 2007 Hermitage Le Miaux blanc. Abundant fruit and glycerin as well as a big, thick style suggest drinking this cuvee with full-flavored fish and poultry dishes. Owned by Michel Chapoutier, Ferraton has been a solidly reliable, if uninspiring producer until the last several vintages. A few years ago, the Chapoutier team decided to push for maximum quality at this estate, and as a result, the finest wines to emerge thus far are the 2006s, followed by the 2007s. Moreover, prices remain extremely fair as the world marketplace has not yet recognized the rise in quality of Ferraton wines. The white wines performed strongly. Ferraton also produces some single vineyard red and white offerings called Selection Parcellaires. These are the finest wines I have yet tasted from this estate. The 2007 single vineyard reds are slightly lighter and more finesse-styled, with more noticeable acidity. Kudos to Michel Chapoutier and the team at Ferraton for fashioning what are clearly their finest wines to date.Importer: A French Paradox, Peoria, IL; tel. (309) 682-8994

This wine was rated, but no tasting note was given. Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. (732) 225-9000

The medium to full-bodied 1998 Hermitage Le Meal blanc exhibits evolved caramel characteristics, along with orange marmalade and fino sherry notes. Behind all this is tangy, tart acidity. It should be consumed over the next 3-4 years. Importer: William Grant & Sons, Edison, NJ; tel. (732) 225-9000