# Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge (2018)

- **Producer:** E. Guigal
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Northern Rhône Valley, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €300
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black plum, black cherry, blackberry, smoke, coffee, chocolate, cedar, forest floor, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

E. Guigal's Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2018 is a Syrah from the Hermitage AOC in the Northern Rhône Valley. The wine originates from four specific vineyard parcels on the Hermitage hill: Bessards, Greffieux, L'Hermite, and Murets. The 'Ex Voto' designation is reserved for wines of exceptional quality. E. Guigal is a producer known for its commitment to quality and expressing regional character. The 2018 vintage was warm, leading to concentrated fruit.

## Interesting facts

- Ex-Voto is reserved for wines deemed utterly exceptional.
- Vineyards average 50-90 years old.
- Aged for 42 months in new French oak.
- Bottled without fining or filtration.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and significant tannic structure are well-suited to rich, protein-heavy dishes. The tannins bind with the proteins in meat, softening the wine and enhancing the savory flavors of the food. The wine's depth and complexity can stand up to robust flavors and rich sauces.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2018 begins with a 4-week maceration. Following maceration, the wine is aged for 42 months in new French oak barrels. The wine is then bottled without fining or filtration, a practice that preserves its natural character and texture. Guigal employs environmentally sustainable farming practices across its vineyards.