Roederer Estate, Anderson Valley, L’Ermitage, Brut 2002 The nose opens with fresh biscuits, citrus and stone fruits, also calling to mind a freshly baked fruit tart. In the mouth this wine is very concentrated and full of the flavor of green apples in all of there glorious tartness. Yet that bracing aspect is enhanced by a sense fresh bread, adding complexity and depth.
This has been a personal favorite across the years balancing the racy house style with the complexity given by time on the lees. Still a great value for the amount and quality of flavor for the price.
The grapes behind this wine are 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir. In the final assemblage there are also 4.1% oak aged reserves. The wine for the dosage was held back from the 2002 vintage and aged in oak casks for 5 years; the dosage is 1.3% yet rather imperceptible when the pH is 2.9. P&B in Philo 12% $31.99 at Bottle Barn Roederer Estate