2018 Domaine Belle Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Louis Belle (750ml) Pre-Arrival

"Philippe Belle and his son, Guillaume, continue to turn out some of Northern Rhône's best-kept secrets from their small estate in the hills behind Hermitage. Their Larnage sector of Crozes-Hermitage benefits from having a strong concentration of white clays, which imparts more power to the wines than the typical alluvial deposits found in much of the appellation. Additionally, their hillside has the same southerly exposure as Hermitage itself, making it in effect, a mini-Hermitage. The family also farms small parcels in Hermitage (Péléat for the white, Les Murets for the red) and Saint-Joseph." - Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate)

"Showing every bit of its 30% new oak, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Cuvee Louis Belle displays notes of cedar, vanilla, sawdust and baking spices. Yet backing up the wood is a wine that's full-bodied and rich, with concentrated plum and licorice notes that come through on the lengthy finish." 92-95 points - Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate, Jan. 2020)